Toxicological Evaluation of Two Named Herbal Remedies Sold Across Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria

Aim: Herbs are plants or parts of plants used for their therapeutic, aromatic or savoury values. This work studied the potential sub-chronic toxic effects of Goko and BetaB, two herbal remedies used in treating human diseases and sold in Orumba Local Government Area of Anambra state, Nigeria.

Design: Experimental adult Wister female albino rats were divided into five groups (A, B, C, D and E) of five animals per group. The first and second groups received 0.1 ml/kg body weight and 0.2 ml/kg body weight of Goko while the third and fourth groups received 0.1 ml/kg body weight and 0.2 ml/kg body weight of BetaB orally. The control group was given standard feed and clean drinking water only. Administration lasted for 14 days after which the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and blood samples collected for biochemical assay.

Results: The results of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and concentration of serum total bilirubin and albumin showed varying significant (P < 0.05) differences when compared with the control.

Conclusion: Result obtained from this study seems to suggest that Goko and BetaB may not be safe for use sub-chronically at high doses.