Safety Evaluation of Acute and'Chronic Treatment of Aqueous Calyx Extract of Hibiscus sabdariffu (L) in Rats

Abstract

Acute and chronic toxrcity studies of the ,lqUCOUS extract of the medicinal plant, Iliblscus subdurtffa (L) ('Soborodo') were carried out in rats. Thc oral and interaperitoneal route of administration of calyx aqueous exact were employed. Fatality was not recorded inn rat given 1000 mg to 2500 mg/lOOg body weight intra peritoneal but larger concentration of 3000 to 4000 mg/lOOg resulted in death. Mcan lethal docs of 3350mg/l OOg was obtained, In chronic toxicity tests in which the rates were givcn 50mg to 150mg/l OOg pCI' day of aqueous extract to drink for four weeks, no fatality was recorded, no significant effect on both hacmntologlcal and biochemical parameters measured and no sigulflcant damage to the body organs was observed. These data suggest a safe therapeutic benefit for Hibiscus salulariffa,