Toxicological evaluation of aqueous extracts of Hermannia incana Cav. leaves in male Wistar rats

The effects of the administration of aqueous extract of Hermannia incana Cav. leaves at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight for 14 days on some biochemical parameters of male rats were investigated. Extract administration did not produce any significant effect on the liver and kidney body weight ratios, red blood cell, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, red cell distribution width, neutrophils, monocytes, basophils, cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic index. The extract did not also affect the levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, inorganic phosphorus, urea, creatinine, total protein, globulin, albumin, total and conjugated bilirubin. The activities of alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase and alanine aminotransferase in the serum were increased by the extract. While the large unstained cells and platelets increased at 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight only, the same dose levels also decreased the activity of aspartate aminotransferase in the serum. The levels of lymphocytes and eosinophils were significantly affected at 600 mg/kg body weight. The available evidence in this study suggests that the extract of H. incana leaf extract is mild, parameter and dose specific. Therefore, it may not be completely 'safe' as an oral remedy.