Abstract:
Introduction/Aim: Subacute toxicity tests are intended to evaluate the toxicity of the chemical after repeated administration and also to help in establishing doses for the longer-term subchronic studies. Plant has been one of the original and earliest source for correcting physiological changes in the humans body. Terminalia chebula, commonly known as black- or chebulic myrobalan, is a species of Terminalia, widely used in South Asia from India and Nepal east to southwest China (Yunnan), and south to Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and across Africa. It is widely used in management of various illment. This work is aim at evaluating the toxic effect of Terminalia chebula on liver of wister rats. Method: rats of either sex were selected. Group 1 received distilled water (10 ml/kg), while group 2, 3 and 4 received Terminalia Chebula 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg respectively. Animals were kept in standard cages and given access to the extract, water and food orally for 28 days, after which they were weighed and sacrificed. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture and taken immediately for hematological and chemo pathological analysis. The liver and heart were also harvested for histological study of the effect of the plant using haematotoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining technique. Result: There was Significant (P<0.05) decrease in RBC, HGB, MCV, while there was no significant change in the level of neutrophiles, basophiles, eosinophiles and platelets. There were also significant (P<0.05) increase in ALP, BILT and BILD. The liver showed slight vascular congestion and lymphocyte hyperplasia at 200 and 800 mg/kg dose while there was normal features for both 400 mg/kg and control. Conclusion: Terminalia Chebula should be used with caution because it may have slight effect on the liver when taken for a prolong period of time.
