Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

In vitro radical scavenging potential and toxicopathological implications of administration of aqueous leaf extract of Eucalyptus obliqua L.Her. (Myrtaceae) in Wistar rats

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Comparative Clinical Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant potential and toxicological effects of aqueous leaf extract of Eucalyptus obliqua via acute and 28-day once daily treatments in Wistar rats. In the acute toxicity test, rats were orally administered the extract up to 5000 mg/kg. The sub-chronic toxicity study was performed by once daily oral administration with the extract at 200, 400, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. The control rats received sterile distilled water. Biochemical and hematological indices were determined and a histopathological examination was carried out. The extract showed marked antioxidant effects that could be ascribed to its phytoconstituents. The LD50 was estimated to be >5000 mg/kg body weight. Except for the significantly modulated serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, platelet and white blood cell counts, the extract revealed no significant (p > 0.05) effect on the biochemical and hematological indices in the treated animals compared to the control. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in weight gain of the treated rats and the control although there was a dose-dependent increase in food consumption of the extract-treated rats. These are indications of unlikely toxic tendency of the extract and were well supported by the no treatment-related infiltrations on the histoarchitectural features of the tissue sections of the investigated organs. Consequent upon these, the aqueous leaf extract of E. obliqua may be adjudged relatively non-toxic and practically safe at the investigated doses and within the period of exposure in this study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdelmoaty MA, Ibrahim MA, Ahmed NS, Abdelaziz MA (2010) Confirmatory studies on the antioxidant and antidiabetic effect of quercetin in rats. Indian J Clin Biochem 25:188–192

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Adebayo AH, Abolaji AO, Opata TK, Adegbenro IK (2010) Effect of ethanolic extracts of Chrysophylum albidum G. On biochemical and heamatological parameters of albino Wistar rats. Afr J Biotechnol 9:2145–2150

    Google Scholar 

  • Afef B, Abdennacer B, Mohamed B (2013) Chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils and solvent extracts of Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum Desf. from Tunisia. J Med Plant Res 7:2429–2435

    Google Scholar 

  • Ajani EO, Sabiu S, Bamisaye FA, Salau AD (2014) Evaluation of the acute and sub-acute toxicity effects of ethanolic leaves extract of Lagenaria brevifolia (bitter gourd) on hepatic and renal function of rats. Eur J Med Plant 5(2):210–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ajani EO, Sabiu S, Bamishaye FA (2016) A 4-week daily dose oral administration assessment of Cyperus esculentus L. aqueous extract on key metabolic markers of Wistar rats. Pharmacologia 7:125–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anofi OTA, Mutiu IK (2015) Toxicopathological evaluation of hydroethanol extract of Dianthus basuticus in Wistar rats. Evidence-Based Complement Altern Med Article ID 348519

  • Baldissera MD, Grando TH, Souza CF, Gressler LT, Stefani LM, da Silva AS, Monteiro SG (2016) In vitro and in vivo action of terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene, and α-terpinene against Trypanosoma evansi. Exp Parasitol 162:43–48

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barry KM, Janos DP, Nichols S, Bowman DMJS (2015) Eucalyptus obliqua Seedling growth in organic vs. mineral soil horizons. Front Plant Sci 6:97

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • de Oliveira TM, de Carvalho RB, da Costa IH, de Oliveira GA, de Souza AA, de Lima SG, de Freitas RM (2015) Evaluation of p-cymene, a natural antioxidant. Pharm Biol 53(3):423–428

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Demma J, Gebre-Mariam T, Asres K, Evgetie W, Engindawork E (2006) Toxicology study on Glinus lotoides: a traditionally used technical herb in Ethiopia. J Ethnopharmacol 111:451–457

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Do’bereiner J, Tokarnia CH, Purisco E (1976) Vernonia molissima, toxic plant responsible for cattle deaths in the south of Mato Grosso. Pesquisa Agropecua'ria Brasileira, Se'rie Veterina'ria 11:49–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Drury RAB, Wallington EA (1980) Carleton’s histological techniques 5th edn. Oxford University Press, p 36–148

  • Duraipandiyan V, Ayyanar M, Ignacimuthu S (2006) Antimicrobial activity of some ethnomedicinal plants used by Paliyar tribe from Tamil Nadu, India. BMC Complement Altern Med 6:35–41

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ertekin V, Selimoglu MA, Altinkaynak S (2005) A combination of unusual presentations of Datura stramonium intoxication in a child: rhabdomyolysis and fulminant hepatitius. J Emerg Med 28:227–228

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Firenzuoli F, Gori L (2007) Herbal medicine today: clinical and research issues. Evid-Based Complement Altern Med 4(11):37–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koduru S, Grierson DS, Afolayan AJ (2006) Antimicrobial activity of Solanum aculeastrum. Pharm Biol 44:283–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehrak M, Abbas AZ, Habib V (2013) Evaluation of antibacterial properties of Eucalyptus spp and Plelargonium roseum extracts in common carp, Cyprinus carpio and their effects on blood indices. Middle-East J Sci Res 15(5):723–731

    Google Scholar 

  • Mosihuzzaman M (2012) Herbal medicine in healthcare: an overview. Nat Prod Commun 7(6):807–812

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mridul B, Muruganathan G (2015) Eucalyptol: safety and pharmacological profile. J Pharm Sci 5:125–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Mukinda JT, Syce JA (2007) Acute and chronic toxicity of the aqueous extract of Artemisia afra in rodents. J Ethnopharmacol 112:138–144

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Institute of Health (NIH) (1985) Care and use of laboratory animals. National Institute of Health Publication, Washington DC, p 85

    Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council (NRC) (2011) Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals, 8th edn. In: Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals. National Research Council, p 118

  • Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2001) Guideline for testing of chemicals, acute oral toxicity- acute toxicity class method, 423. Adopted 17th December, 2001

  • Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2006) Report of the validation of the updated test guideline 407: repeat dose 28-day oral toxicity study in laboratory rats. Series on testing and assessment No 59, ENV/JM/MONO(2006)26

  • Perez RGM (2001) Anti-inflammatory activity of compounds isolated from plants. Sci World 1:713–784

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quintans JS, Menezes PP, Santos MR, Bonjardim LR, Almeida JR, Gelain DP, Araújo AA, Quintans-Júnior LJ (2013) Improvement of p-cymene antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects by inclusion in β-cyclodextrin. Phytomedicine 20:436–440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rang HP, Dale M, Ritter J (2001) Pharmacology, 4th edn. Churchill Livingstone, New York, p 13

    Google Scholar 

  • Rivas SAC, Lopes PM, Barros AMM, Costa DC, Alviano CS, Alviano DS (2012) Biological activities of α-pinene and β-pinene enantiomers. Molecules 17(6):6305–6316

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruch RJ, Cheng SJ, Klaunig JE (1989) Prevention of cytotoxicity and inhibition of intercellular communication by antioxidant catechins isolated from Chinese green tea. Carcinogenesis 10:1003–1008

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rufino AT, Ribeiro M, Judas F, Salgueiro L, Lopes MC, Cavaleiro C, Mendes AF (2014) Anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective activity of (+)-α-pinene: structural and enantiomeric selectivity. J Nat Prod 77(2):264–269

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sabiu S, Ashafa AOT (2016) Membrane stabilization and kinetics of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) inhibitory potentials of Eucalyptus obliqua L.Her. (Myrtaceae) Blakely ethanolic leaf extract: An in vitro assessment. South Afr J Bot 105:264–269

  • Sabiu S, Ajani EO, Abubakar AA, Sulyman AO, Nurain IO, Irondi AE, Quadri DF, Abubakar YA (2015) Toxicological evaluations of stigma maydis (corn silk) aqueous extract on hematological and lipid parameters in Wistar rats. Toxicol Rep 2:638–644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sabiu S, Ajani EO, Sunmonu TO, Balogun FO, Ashafa AOT, Othman BR, Olowa KS (2017a) Hepatoprotective potential of aqueous leaves extract of Eucalyptus obliqua (Myrtaceae) in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated Wistar rats. J Appl Pharm Sci (in press)

  • Sabiu S, O’Neill FH, Ashafa AOT (2017b) Toxicopathological evaluation of a 28-day repeated dose administration of Zea mays L. (Poaceae), Stigma maydis on key metabolic markers of Wistar rats. Transac Roy Soc South Afr 1-9. doi:10.1080/0035919X.2017.1342713

  • Sadlon AE, Lamson DW (2010) Immune-modifying and antimicrobial effects of eucalyptus oil and simple inhalation devices. Altern Med Rev 15:33–47

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saheed S, Omotayo TAA (2016) Toxicological implications and laxative potential of ethanol root extract of Morella serrata in loperamide-induced constipated Wistar rats. Pharm Biol. doi:10.1080/13880209.2016.1193885

  • Saravanan S, Pari L (2015) Role of thymol on hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in high fat diet-induced type 2 diabetic C57BL/6J mice. Eur J Pharmacol 761:279–287

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Serafino A, Sinibaldi VP, Andreola F, Zonfrillo M, Mercuri L, Federici M, Rasi G, Garaci E, Pierimarchi P (2008) Stimulatory effect of Eucalyptus essential oil on innate cell-mediated immune response. BMC Immunol 9:17

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Shruti T, Aparna K (2016) Effect of procyanidin-rich extract from natural cocoa powder on cellular viability, cell cycle progression, and chemoresistance in human epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Pharmacogn Mag 12(2):S109–S115

    Google Scholar 

  • Smirnoff N, Cumbes OJ (1996) Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of compatible solutes. Phytochemistry 28:1057–1060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song CG, Yang X, Min LQ, Liu CX, Zhao CS (2014) The effect of procyanidin on expression of STAT1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus SD rats with focal cerebral ischemia. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 35(1):68–72

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sujith K, Darwin R, Suba V (2012) Toxicological evaluation of ethanolic extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum in albino Wistar rats. Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2(6):437–441

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaji AM, Bhaskar RK, Megha LN, Akalpita UA (2014) Antidiabetic activity of linalool and limonene in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: a combination therapy approach. Int J Pharm Pharmaceut Sci 6:159–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Turkoglu A, Duru ME, Mercan N, Kivrak I, Gezer K (2007) Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Laetiporus sulphureus (bull). Food Chem 101:267–273

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan-Man H, Yi-chih H, Lihong H, Yi-ju L, Mei-chin Y (2015) Anti-diabetic effects of madecassic acid and rotundic acid. Nutrients 7:10065–10075

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Phytomedicine, Food factors and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Biochemistry Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kwara State University, Malete. P.M.B., Ilorin, 1530, Nigeria

    S. Sabiu, E. O. Ajani, I. O. Nurain, A. O. Sulyman, R. Ibrahim, A. Lukman, A. Q. Giwa, O. J. Solanke & T. A. Oladipo

  2. Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, APK Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa

    A. A. Alimi

Authors
  1. S. Sabiu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. O. Ajani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I. O. Nurain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. O. Sulyman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. R. Ibrahim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. A. Lukman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. A. A. Alimi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. A. Q. Giwa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. O. J. Solanke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. T. A. Oladipo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Sabiu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution at which the studies were conducted. A certified number (KSU/IECCULA/003/02/016) was issued for the study following approval by the Departmental Independent Ethical Committee of Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sabiu, S., Ajani, E.O., Nurain, I.O. et al. In vitro radical scavenging potential and toxicopathological implications of administration of aqueous leaf extract of Eucalyptus obliqua L.Her. (Myrtaceae) in Wistar rats. Comp Clin Pathol 26, 1241–1251 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-017-2515-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-017-2515-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation