Assessment of oral acute toxicity (LD50) OF Green Health Herbal mixture in Wistar Albino rats

Abstract

Green Health herbal mixture is a pharmacological pure herb product of Green Healthcare Limited, Aboha, Ohii, Imo State, Nigeria, approved by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) used orally and topically in the treatment of muscular ache/pain, scalp, warts, inflammation, skin infection due to bacteria/fungi, and lumps and to relieve high fever. However, its oral lethal dose is yet to be reported. Thus, this work was aimed at assessing its oral acute toxicity in wistar albino rats. The results of phase one and phase two of the study showed no mortality in any of the groups of rats in 24 hours, 72 hours and up to two weeks after oral administration of 5000 mg per kg body weight (b.w) of the herbal mixture, but the histology (photomicrograph) of the liver sections revealed multiple dose-dependent necrosis, histological lesions, and abnormal sinusoids. Therefore, oral intake of the herbal mixture at dose less than or equal to 5000 mg/kg b.w. is safe, but may not be advisable, having noted its deleterious effects on the hepatocytes via the photomicrograph (H and E 400). That is oral LD ₅₀ > 5000 mg/kg b.w. Hence, topical usage is recommended.