Abstract

The aqueous extract from the shoot of Arctotis arctotoides (L.f.) O. Hoffm (Asteraceae) was evaluated for its acute toxicity by the oral route in mice and for the sub-acute effect on haematological, biochemical, and histological parameters in rats. In the acute toxicity test, A. arctotoides caused no death even up to 3200 mg/kg dose. Oral treatments with this extract at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg did not cause any significant change in the red blood cell count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin. It did cause a significance increase in white blood cell count and its differentials. The extract caused a significant decrease in the levels of some liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen, potassium, total and conjugated bilirubin. Changes were noted in the body and organ weights while variable changes were observed in the levels of some electrolytes. No significant lesions were observed in the organs examined. The result indicated that the plant may be relatively safe for medicinal uses. 

Key words: Arctotis arctotoides, acute toxicity, sub acute toxicity haematology, serum biochemistry, histopathology.