Science Letters

Toxicological Study of Extracts of Lippia alba and Ganoderma lucidum

Olukayode Olugbenga Orole 1*, Timothy Olubisi Adejumo 2, Shamsudeen Aroyeun 3

1 Department of Microbiology, Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

2 Department of Microbiology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria

3 End-Use Department, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

The toxicological study is an important phase in drug formulation and developmental process which necessitates the determination of the safe concentrations at which extracts of Lippia alba and Ganoderma lucidum present no toxic side-effect and symptoms in albino rats. Fifty albino rats weighing 150g-170g divided into L. alba group and G. lucidum group were administered with 100 to 800 mg/kg body weight (BW) concentrations of the extracts, respectively, and observed for 14 days. The animals were subsequently euthanized and blood samples collected were tested for hematological and biochemical parameters, while the liver, kidney, and heart sections were excised for histopathological examination. Results showed that the animals' behavior was not at variance from the control, except in group 2 (100 mg extract/kg BW) of both L. alba and G. lucidum and group 4 (400 mg extract/kg BW) of G. lucidum, body weight was lower and liver weight per 100g BW was higher compared to other treatment groups. Leukocytes, hemoglobin, platelets, erythrocytes and hematocrit values were not statistically different in both L. alba and G. lucidum groups compared to control. Similarly, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, globulin, albumin and total protein content were also not statistically different in both L. alba and G. lucidum groups compared to control. Kidney, liver, and heart sections presented no visible damage due to the administered treatments. In conclusion, the extracts of the plant and mushroom at the concentrations between 100 and 800 mg/kg BW did not lead to any observable toxic effects in the animal models.