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Toxicological evaluation of aqueous extract of Khaya senegalensis stem bark on some liver function
parameters of normal rats (100-140g) were critically examined. The albino rats (16) were randomly
assigned into four (I-IV) groups each of which contains four rats. They were acclimatised for a week and
Khaya senegalensis stem bark extract was administered for three weeks after which they were sacrificed.
Group I (Control) received equivalent volume of distilled water while group II, III and IV received 11.62
mg/kg bwt, 13.95 mg/kg bwt and 16.28 mg/kg bwt of the extract respectively. The activities of ALT, AST
and ALP in serum at all doses of the extract was significantly (p<0.05) increased compared with the
control. Also, the concentration of total protein and globulin in the serum was significantly (p<0.05)
increased while the concentration of albumin in the serum was significantly (p<0.05) decreased when
compared with the control. Overall, the results indicated that oral administration of aqueous extract of
Khaya senegalensis stem bark once daily for three weeks at the doses of 11.62, 13.95 and 16.28 mg/kg
body weight caused hepatocellular toxicity and could hamper normal functioning of the liver of the
animals. Therefore, the aqueous extract of Khaya senegalensis stem bark is not safe as an oral remedy at
the doses investigated in the present study.
Key words: Khaya senegalensis, Stem bark, Liver function parameters, Medicinal herbs.