Oral Acute Toxicity Study and Effect of Methanolic Seed Extract of Wonderful Kola (Buccholzia Coriacea R.W Buchholz) on Implantation in Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

Background: Buccholzia coriacea (wonderful kola), belonging to the family of Capparidaceae, is an evergreen shrub, that is geographically distributed in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Angola, Nigeria, and Ghana, among others. It is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments and for various purposes. This study was conducted to determine the LD50, phytochemical constituents, and evaluate the effect of a methanolic seed extract of Buchholzia coriacea on implantation in female Wistar albino rats. Methodology: The phytochemical screening was done according to the standard method, to detect phytochemicals present in the methanolic seed extract of Buchholzia coriace. A total of 36 adult female Wistar albino rats were used for this study. Twelve rats were used for the acute toxicity study, whereas for the implantation study, 24 mature female rats were divided into four groups (control, low, medium, and high dose groups). Group I was designated as a control, and the other three groups as test groups. Two hundred and fifty (250), 500, and 1000 mg/kg of methanolic seed extract of Buccholzia coriacea were administered to the test groups for 10 days, after which the uteri were removed and implantation sites were counted. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, and saponins. An acute toxicity study revealed that Buchholzia coriacea has a LD50 > 5000 mg/kg.. Administration of the methanolic seed extract of Buccholzia coriacea did not significantly (p 0.05) alter the number of implantation sites across the test groups when compared with the control. Conclusion: The results showed that the administration of a methanolic seed extract of Buchholzia coriacea had no significant effect on implantation.