Acute toxicity effects of the methanolic extract of Fagara zanthoxyloides(Lam.) root-bark.

Jasper W. Ogwal-Okeng, Celestino Obua and William W. Anokbonggo.
Makerere University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics,
P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda

ABSTRACT
Background: Fagara zanthoxyloidesis a well known medicinal plant in Uganda. It is used extensively in malaria and other
infections. However nothing is known about its toxicity.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of the methanolic extract of the root-bark of F.
zanthoxyloides, in mice.

Methods:Methanolic extract of the root-bark of the plant was administered orally to mice at various dose levels to determine
the acute toxic effects and the median lethal dose (LD 50 ) in mice.

Results: The LD50 of the methanolic extract was found to be 5.0 g/Kg body weight within 95 % confidence limits. The mice
showed signs of cerebral irritation before dying. Histopathological examinations of the viscera showed congestion and focal
necrosis of the liver and renal tubules.

Conclusion: It was concluded that the extract of F. zanthoxyloidesis safe, however the cerebral mechanism that lead to the death
of the mice need to be investigated further.

Keywords: Fagara zanthoxyloides, medicinal plant, toxicity, Uganda .
African Health Sciences 2003; 3(3): 124 – 126