Acute Toxicity Study and Effect of Chromolaena odorata Leaves on Some Essential Biochemical Parameters of Acetaminophen-induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Chromolaena odorata is a medicinal plant that has gained attention worldwide for the treatment and management of different diseases due to its pharmacological and therapeutic properties. This study aimed to determine the lethal dose (LD50) and the effect of aqueous extract of Chromolaena odorata leaves on some biochemical parameters of acetaminophen-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. The aqueous extract of C. odorata was prepared using conventional methods.  The acute toxicity (LD50) study was done using Lorke’s method. The biochemical analysis was carried out using standard diagnostic methods. The acute toxicity study conducted revealed that the aqueous extract of C. odorata may not be very toxic as no death was recorded at a very high dose of 5000mg/kg bodyweight of the animals. Treatment with 100mg/kg and 300mg/kg bodyweight of the aqueous extract of C. odorata for a period of four weeks significantly ameliorated the alterations in the lactate dehydrogenase activity and malondialdehyde concentrations caused by acetaminophen toxicity. The aqueous extract of C. odorata is not toxic as evidenced from the result of the acute toxicity study as the LD50 value is above 5000mg/kg. The extracts restored to a great extent the damage caused by the acetaminophen toxicity as was revealed from the results of the lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde analysis. The extract modulates the biochemical parameters of acetaminophen-induced toxicity in rats favourably towards recovery and improved health.