Abstract

The toxicity of Vernonia amygdalina root and enzymatic activities of Crinum jagus extracts on guinea pigs were investigated. The cold water, n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were used to evaluate the effect of VA root poison on the aspartate transaminante, alanine transaminante and alkaline phosphatise enzymes activities in the serum/liver of guinea pigs. No death of guinea pigs were recorded neither in the control nor in the extracts treated groups during the observation period. Visual observations of guinea pigs were made 1 and 2 h after poison and extracts administration respectively, including changes in respiration, motility, behavioural pattern, food and water consumption and recorded systematically. These parameters changed in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 guinea pigs compared to the control Group 1, 2 h after poison administration and recovered to normal in groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 after extracts administration. The pathological examination of the liver showed no significant abnormality in groups 1, 4, 5 and 6 while the enzymes in group 3 were inactive and in group 2, the enzymes of the only surviving guinea pig was found to be dead.

Key words: Crinum jagus, enzyme activity, aspartate transaminante, alanine transaminate, alkaline phosphate.