Abstract

EVALUATION OF TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE OF KOJU®- A NIGERIAN POLYHERBAL FORMULATION, IN WISTAR RATS

Idakwoji Precious Adejoh* and Uzuazokaro Mark- Maria Agatemor

Abstract

Increased morbidity and mortality associated with the use of herbs/ herbal products has raised universal attention in the last few years, making the safety and toxicity evaluations of these preparations imperative. This study evaluated the toxicological profile of Koju® (KPF) - a common Nigerian polyherbal formulation developed from Xylopia aethiopica (root bark), Securidaca longepedunculata (stem bark), Magnifera indica (stem bark), Allium sativum (seed), Citrus aurantifolia (root bark), Morinda lucida (seed) and Saccharum officinarum. Acute oral toxicity (LD50) was carried out in albino rats according to Lorke’s method while sub-chronic toxicity study was carried out with 24 adult albino rats which were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each. Group one served as control and received normal saline while Groups 2 to 4 received 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg KPF respectively for 30 days. Food/ water intake and body weight of the rats were monitored while on day 31, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples and organs were collected for biochemical /hematological analysis and histopathological examination respectively. Results showed that KPF is safe up to 5000 mg/kg following acute oral toxicity test. The sub-chronic toxicity test revealed that KPF had no significant effects on the biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters. However, the body weight of the animals significantly increased. It was concluded that KPF is safe but despite its safety in few animals, clinical trials and more investigations on a large number of animals are essentially needed to establish safety and efficacy of the herbal formulation.

Keywords: Toxicological, Koju®, Polyherbal, Formulation, Sub-chronic.