SUB-CHRONIC TOXICITY

ABSTRACT

Polyherbal formulation has been employed all over the world due to its therapeutic and medicinal value. It has also been referred to as herb-herb combination. This study was designed to evaluate the synergistic effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa, Zingiber officinale, Cinnamomum verum and Syzygium aromaticum when combined together to formulate a polyherbal Zobo drink and also its safety profile. The polyherbal extract was prepared by combining Hibiscus sabdariffa, Zingiber officinale, Cinnamomum verum and Syzygium aromaticum at various rates and was administered to four (4) groups of Albino Wistar rats at a dosage of 250,500,1000 and 2000mg/kg respectively for 21days. The control group received only distilled water. The activities of the in vivo antioxidant enzymes were evaluated in order to determine the effects of the extract on Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione (GSH) levels. The results of the studies revealed that the groups administered 250,500,1000 and 2000mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract had a significant decrease (p > 0.05) in Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity when compared with the Control, while the groups administered 500,1000 and 2000mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of polyherbal formulation had a marked reduction in Catalase and Glutathione activity but those administered 250mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract had no significant decrease vi in Catalase and Glutathione Peroxidase activity. The result further showed a noticeable decrease in Malondialdehyde activity of the groups administered 250,500,1000mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract and a decrease in Glutathione activity of the groups administered 250,1000mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract while those administered 1000mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract showed no remarkable difference in Malondialdehyde activity and those administered 500 and 2000mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract exhibited no significant reduction in Glutathione activity. This implies that the administration of this extract is dose dependent and caution needs to be taken in long term administration.