Evaluation of the acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Annona squamosa leaves on female rats (Rattus norvegicus) of wistar strain in the laboratory

Résumé

Annona squamosa is a plant traditionally used in Ivory Coast to treat cases of female infertility. Excessive use of different parts of this plant can present risks of poisoning for users. The objective of this study is to evaluate the toxicity of the aqueous extract of A. squamosa leaves on female rats. The aqueous extract of the leaves was administered to the test rats and distilled water to the control rats. The effects of this extract on the behavior and body weight of rats were observed. Biochemical and hematological parameters were analyzed according to standard methods. The histopathological study of the kidney and liver of test and control rats was also carried out using the classic method. Regarding the behavior of rats, the acute toxicity test of the aqueous extract of A. squamosa (EAAS) at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of body weight showed no signs apparent toxicity, mortality and morbidity via the oral route. At the level of the body weight of the animals, no difference was observed between the treated rats and the control rats. This toxicity also showed no difference between the weight of the vital organs (Heart, Liver and Kidney) of the treated rats and those of the control rats. The lethal dose (LD50) would therefore be greater than 2000 mg/kg of body weight. EAAS did not cause any significant change at level of blood parameters and biochemical of treated rats compared to control rats. Microscopic examination of the liver and kidney of animals treated with the single dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight of A. squamosa extract showed normal structural architecture compared to control animals.