Toxicological and analgesic evaluation of Solanecio biafrae ethanol leaf extract

Aim: The leaves of S. biafrae have been used ethnomedically across Sub-Saharan Africa for the treatment of different diseases. The toxicological assessment and analgesic effects of the ethanol leaf extract of S. biafrae was the focus of the present study which was necessitated by the traditional uses of the extract in folk medicine. Methods: Acute and subacute toxicity testing were examined and parameters such as relative organ weight of both liver and kidney, changes in animal body weight, haematological indices as well as the examination of liver and kidney function parameters were all evaluated. For analgesic potential of the extract; acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and hot plate model were also evaluated. Results: The result of acute testing showed that the extract has an LD50 value of 3,492mg/kg in rats. The subacute toxicity tests showed no significant changes in the body weight of the animals throughout the duration of the experiment. However, there was significant reductions in the relative organ weight of both the liver and the kidney of the extract. The haematological parameters showed the extract had reduced PCV levels in rats as well as the serum WBC levels. The acetic acid-induced writhing test showed that all the concentrations of the extract used showed significant increase in their protective ability against acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. The hot plate model showed that the extract only produced significant inhibition against pain the first 30minutes of testing Conclusion: Findings show that, the ethanol leaf extract of S. biafrae though exhibited toxic potentials, it however demonstrated potent direct and central analgesic properties.