Ayuba David TELTA1*, Bukar UMARU1, Emmanuel Oluwasegun ADAWAREN1, Umar Abdullahi MAINA2, Karagama Panda GADZAMA1, Saidu Ibrahim NGULDE1, Aliu Yahaya GWOIYAKURA2, Mbursa CHIROMA3
1Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
2Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B 1069, Borno State Nigeria
3Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
*Corresponding author’s Email: ayubatel@gmail.com, doi.org/10.55639/607.020100139
ABSTRACT
Herbal medicines remain an important component of primary healthcare in many communities worldwide. This study evaluated the qualitative phytochemical constituents and preliminary acute oral toxicity of an aqueous extract of dried calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. collected from Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. The dried calyces were extracted using the reflux method and qualitative phytochemical screening was performed using standard procedures. A preliminary acute oral toxicity assessment was conducted in albino rats using selected oral dose levels of 2000, 3200, and 5000 mg/kg body weight, with animals observed for mortality and signs of toxicity over 14 days. The aqueous extract yielded 37.5% (w/w). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, and saponins, whereas alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones, cardelonides and terpenoids were not detected. No mortality or overt signs of acute toxicity were observed in the animals administered the extract at any of the doses tested. The absence of mortality at the highest dose tested (5000 mg/kg body weight) was consistent with an acute oral LD₅₀ greater than 5000 mg/kg under the conditions of the present preliminary assessment; however, this represents a limit-dose finding rather than a statistically calculated LD₅₀ point estimate. The findings suggest that the aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa calyces has low acute toxicity under the conditions evaluated. The small number of animals and the preliminary nature of the assessment limit the generalizability of the findings. Further studies involving repeated dose toxicity, comprehensive toxicological evaluation, and pharmacological investigations are warranted.
KEYWORDS
Hibiscus
sabdariffa,
Phytochemical
screening,
Acute toxicity,
LD₅₀,
Aqueous
extract.