Abstract

The toxicity profile of aqueous methanol extract of Ceiba pentandra leaves was investigated in mice. Two parameters were determined; acute toxicity and chronic toxicity. For acute toxicity test, the LD₅₀ was found to be over 5000 mg/kg. For chronic toxicity test, the mice were injected with graded doses (250 - 500 mg/kg) of the leaves extract daily for 21 days and the effects on body weight, hematological and serum biochemical parameters were determined. The results revealed that there was no significant change in body weight, meaning that the extract is relatively safe for oral medical use. In fact there were no variable changes in the body weight of the mice from day zero (D₀₎ to day twenty one (D₂₁) in all the groups. The parameters determined during chronic toxicity test reveals that the  concentrations of urea, chloride ion sodium ion ,potassium ions and bicarbonate were 11.2, 83.2, 131.6, 8.44 and 38 mMol/L respectively for the test animals .The result shows that apart from urea, all other parameters were within physiological acceptable range.  The results further reveals, that there was a decrease in Craetinine (88 uMol/L) and Total Protein (57.4 g/L), while AST (19 IU/L), ALT (10 IU/L) and ALP (204 IU/L) concentrations has significantly increased .While there was no significant change in PCV and Bilirubin concentrations The finding reveals that Ceiba pentandra has very low toxicity profile in all the tested animals and the plant is relatively safe for herbal oral medication.

Key words: Ceiba pentandra, toxicity, plant.