Acute Toxicity study on Citrullus colocynthis fruit methanol extract in Albino rats

The fruit of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae) in its dried or fresh forms is consumed by some patients of M'sila region (Algeria) for its antidiabetic, antirheumatic, antiheamorrhroids activities without considering its safety. The first step of the study was undertaken to determine the acute median lethal dose of the methanol extract. The objective of the second step was to evaluate the toxic effects of this extract at a single daily oral dose (131mg/kg) in 50 Albino rats divided into 5 experimental (A, B, C, D and E) and 1 control groups after different periods of treatment. Liver, kidney and bone marrow function test were assessed using standard techniques. The acute median lethal dose of the extract was found to be 1311,45 mg/kg. The plasma ALT, AST, urea and creatinine levels were significantly affected, an indication that the extract is hepato-nephrotoxic. The results obtained for hematological parameters reflect that methanol extract with a dose of 131 mg/kg did not affect quantitatively but disrupted qualitatively some functions of the bone marrow. The present study showed that the intake of extract of ripe Citrullus colocynthis fruit presented some adverse effects on the functions of the liver, kidney and bone marrow in rats.