The Journal of Toxicology and Health

The Journal of Toxicology and Health

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The Journal of Toxicology and Health, ISJN: 2294-7439, Impact Index: 4.72, Language: English, Category: International Journal, Imprint: Photon.  

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Supra-supplementation levels of Dawadawa (Pakia biglobosa) powder has toxicity potential in Sprague-Dawley rats

Asiedu-Gyekye Isaac J.(a)*, Awortwe Charles(b), Antwi Daniel A.K.(c), Nyarko Alexander(a)

^a Department ofPharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ghana School of Pharmacy, Ghana

^b Division of ClinicalPharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Stellenbosch, SouthAfrica

^c Departmentof Physiology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences,Ghana

Keywords: Dawadawa, Parkiabiglobosa, toxicity, haematology, histopathology

Citation: Asiedu-Gyekye I.J.,Charles A., Daniel A.A K., Alexander N., 2014. Supra-supplementation levels ofDawadawa (Pakia biglobosa) powder has toxicity potential in Sprague-Dawleyrats. The Journal of Toxicology and Health. Photon 104, 395-405.

Photon Ignitor: ISJN22947439D655803032014

Abstract

Dawadawa (Parkia biglobosa) seed powder is used in Ghana as flavouring agents in local dishes, as nutraceutical in the management of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. There are concerns about its safety at supra supplemental levels. Both acute (5000 mg/kg) and subacute (2000 mg kg-1, 500 mg kg-1 and 100 mg kg-1) studies using Sprague–Dawley rats of both sexes (150–200 g). The doses were selected based on the LD50 which was above 5000 mg/kg. Blood samples were obtained via cardiac puncture and used for haematological and clinical chemistry analysis. Gross necropsy and histopathology were performed on the kidney, heart and liver. Haematological studies showed a decrease in WBC levels (p<0.052) and platelet count (p<0.038) while histopathological studies showed narrowing and congestion of the lumen of central vein with RBCs as compared to the controls in 60% of the animals treated with both the high and median doses and 20% of photomicrographs from the high dose showed evidence of periglomerular oedema. These results show that dawadawa seed powder is a relatively safe product to be used domestically and as medicinal however, extremely high doses has the capability of causing hepatic and renal disorders.