Potential hepatic dysfunction associated with the use of the leaf and latex extracts of Calotropis procera W. T. Aiton (Asclepiadaceae) in Sprague-Dawley rats: an acute toxicity study

Calotropis procera is an evergreen shrub of the family Asclepiadaceae. It is widely used traditionally in the treatment of various ailments, including dysentery and fever. Experimental data also report that C. procera has anticancer activity, among others. This study seeks to investigate the toxicity profile of C. procera in Sprague-Dawley rats. The aqueous, and ethanolic extracts of the dried leaves and the milky fluid (latex) of C. procera were prepared and analysed for phyto-constituents. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with different doses of the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts, as well as latex extract of C. procera via the oral route. The animals were observed for signs of toxicity and euthanized on the 14^th day (and blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture for hematological and biochemical analysis). Internal organs were also excised from the rats. The results showed no toxic effect based on the hematological and biochemical indices. Histopathological examinations did not reveal any significant effect on the internal organs except for mild changes in the liver architecture for which care should be taken upon chronic consumption.