TOXICITY STUDIES ON N-HEXANE AND METHANOL LEAF AND METHANOL SEED EXTRACTS OF JATROPHA CURCAS LINN. IN CHICKS AND MICE

TOXICITY STUDIES ON N-HEXANE AND METHANOL LEAF AND METHANOL SEED EXTRACTS OF JATROPHA CURCAS LINN. IN CHICKS AND MICE

Abstract:

Jatropha curcas is a toxic plant commonly used as food and remedy for several diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the protective and therapeutic effects of sodium nitrite, sodium thiosulphate, penicillamine, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acids (EDTA) and atropine against acute and sub-acute n-hexane leaf, methanol leaf and seed extracts of Jatropha curcas intoxication in 7-14 day old chicks. The oral and intraperitoneal median lethal doses (LD50) of the extracts were performed in mice, one and seven day old chicks. Effect of the antidotes on LD50 and signs of J. curcas extracts intoxication were determined in the acute toxicity study while the therapeutic effect of the antidotes co-administered with the extracts for 7 days were determined in sub-acute toxicity study. Phytochemical, anti-nutritional and elemental analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of secondary metabolites, anti-nutrients and heavy metals. The oral LD50 of hexane and methanol leaf extracts were above 5,000 mg/kg in chicks and mice while methanol seed extract was 1,100 mg/kg in 7-days old chicks. The intraperitoneal LD50 of hexane and methanol leaf extracts were 1,386 mg/kg and 775 mg/kg in mice, 894 mg/kg and 89 mg/kg in one day old chicks, 935 mg/kg and 74 mg/kg in seven days old chicks. The intraperitoneal LD50 of methanol seed extract in seven days old chicks was 22 mg/kg. The antidotes increased the intraperitoneal LD50 of the extracts in chicks and administration of extracts at 135% LD50 caused acute signs of intoxication such as pecking, ataxia, escape attempt, closing of eyes, gasping, crouching, sleeping and death. Treatment with antidotes significantly (p<0.05) decreased or had no effect on lethality and signs of intoxication due to J. curcas leaf and seed extracts. Seven days daily oral administration of methanol leaf and seed extracts at 10% LD50 for sub-acute intoxication caused diarrhoea, weakness, respiratory depression, weight loss and lethargy. Signs of intoxication were severe in the extract treated with saline group (saline treated group). The methanol leaf extract significantly (p<0.05) increased the white blood cells (WBC). Sodium thiosulphate, penicillamine and atropine as antidotes against methanol leaf extract intoxication had no effect on the haematological parameters while sodium nitrite and EDTA significantly (p<0.05) decreased WBC and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) when compared to saline treated group. The methanol seed extract intoxicated chicks produced no significant (p<0.05) effect when compared to the control. The biochemical parameters (ALP, ALT, AST and Urea) of the methanol leaf extract treated with saline group showed significant (p<0.05) increase when compared to the control. Sodium thiosulphate, EDTA and atropine as antidotes for methanol leaf extract intoxication significantly (p<0.05) decreased the level of ALT while atropine significantly (p<0.05) decreased the level of urea when compared to the saline treated group. The methanol seed extract treated with saline group significantly (p<0.05) increased ALT and AST when compared to the control. Treatment with sodium thiosulphate significantly (p<0.05) decreased the level of ALT and AST. The study revealed the presence of anti-nutrients and heavy metals in J. curcas. Sodium thiosulphate and atropine were the most effective antidotes and may be used in the management of J. curcas intoxication.

TOXICITY STUDIES ON N-HEXANE AND METHANOL LEAF AND METHANOL SEED EXTRACTS OF JATROPHA CURCAS LINN. IN CHICKS AND MICE

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