Tavs A Abere1
,
Ogechi K Ojogwu1
,
Freddy O Agoreyo2
,
Gerald I Eze3
For correspondence:- Tavs Abere Email: eseabere@yahoo.com
Published: 30 December 2014
Citation: Abere TA, Ojogwu OK, Agoreyo FO, Eze GI. Antisickling and Toxicological Evaluation of the Leaves of Rauwolfia vomitoria Afzel (Apocynaceae). J Sci Pract Pharm 2014; 1(1):11-15 doi: 10.47227/jsppharm.v1i1.3
© 2014 The author(s).
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Purpose: Rauwolfia vomitoriaAfzel (Apocynaceae) is a medicinal plant that is widely used ethnomedically in the treatment of various health conditions. This study was aimed at investigating the claimed antisickling activity as well as establishing the toxicological profile of the leaves of the plant.
Methods: Evaluation of the antisickling activity involved the inhibition of sodium metabisulphite-induced sickling of the HbSS red blood cells obtained from confirmed sickle cell patients who were not in crises. Concentrations of the crude extract and its fractions were tested with normal saline and p-hydroxybenzoic acid serving as controls. Acute toxicological evaluation was carried out in mice while 30-day assessment was done in rats.
Results: Percentage sickling inhibitions of the aqueous methanol extract of R. vomitoria as well as all the fractions were significant (p < 0. 05) all through the period of assay compared to normal saline. The LD50 of the extract in mice was above 5000 mg/kg body weight when administered intraperitoneally. Toxicological evaluation at 250 mg/kg showed essentially normal tissue appearance while at 500 mg/kg, there was mild vascular congestion in virtually all the target organs with additional activation of sinusoidal kupffer cells and periportal lymphocytes in the liver cells.
Conclusion: Rauwolfia vomitoria has antisickling effects are suggestive of a potential role of the plant in the management of sickle cell disorders and a candidate for further investigations
