Evaluation of Toxic Effect of Hydro-Methanolic Root Extract of Myrica salicifolia A. Rich (Myricaceae) on Brain, Heart, Spleen and Blood Parameters in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Background: Myrica salicifolia A. Rich (Myricaceae) is a routinely used herbal medicinal plant for the treatment of various human diseases such as malaria, inflammation, infections, diabetes mellitus and gastrointestinal spasm. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hydro methanolic roots extract of the M. salicifolia toxic effect on brain, heart, spleen and some blood parameters in mice model. Methods: Roots of M. salicifolia were collected from Gondar area, Northwest Ethiopia. The roots were dried and extracted with methanol. Swiss albino female mice, 25 - 40g weight and 8 - 12 weeks age, were randomly divided into four groups. The control group received 0.5 ml of distilled water orally and the treated group received the root extract of M. salicifolia by using intragastric tube at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight per day for 4 weeks. The hematological analysis was examined. The brain, heart and spleen were removed, stained and examined for histopathological effects. Hematological and histopathological features were compared with the control group. Results: Most of the hematological parameters and all biochemical parameters of all the treated groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05) as compared to control group. While, the body weight and organ weight changes in tested doses didn’t show any significant difference. Moreover, histopathology examination showed that the extract did not show any toxicity in brain, heart and spleen tissues. Overall, the result of the present study indicated that the plant extract is relatively safe to mice when given orally. Keywords: Myrica salicifolia; Sub-Acute Toxicity; Histopathology