Asia Pacific Journal of Medical Toxicology

Acute Oral Toxicity, Histopathological Analysis, and Antimalarial Potential of Jatropha tanjorensis Leaf Extracts

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Fatima Mohammed Jumare 1, 2
Helen Ileigo Inabo 1
Muhammad Hassan Isa Doko 1
Gbonjubola Olusesan Adeshina 3

1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

2 Department of Integrated Science, School of Sciences, Federal University of Education, Zaria, Nigeria

3 Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

https://doi.org/10.22038/apjmt.2025.84306.1483
Abstract
Background: Jatropha tanjorensis is a leafy vegetable widely consumed across Africa and is valued in folk medicine for its reputed blood-replenishing properties. This study aimed to bridge this research gap by assessing the acute oral toxicity, histopathological effects on vital organs, and chemo-suppressive antimalarial activity of J. tanjorensis leaf extracts, offering crucial insights into their therapeutic potential and safety profiles.
Methods: Different extracts of J. tanjorensis leaves were obtained by sequential extraction via maceration. Acute oral toxicity was assessed using the limit test at a dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight of the experimental mice, following the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines (425) for rats and mice. Histopathological analysis of the livers and kidneys of mice exposed to the extracts was performed using standard protocols. The chemo-suppressive antimalarial activity was determined using a suppressive test model. Data analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism version 9.3.1.
Results: The experimental mice exposed to J. tanjorensis leaf extracts exhibited no symptoms of toxicity, although one death was recorded across two groups. According to OECD guidelines, with fewer than three deaths observed, the LD50 of J. tanjorensis leaf extracts is estimated to exceed 5000 mg/kg body weight, indicating a high safety margin. Additionally, mice treated with the extracts showed slight weight gain, suggesting no adverse impact on overall health. Among the tested extracts, the ethyl acetate extract exhibited the highest chemo-suppressive antimalarial activity, achieving 80.7% inhibition of parasite growth in a dose-dependent manner, demonstrating its potential to suppress parasite proliferation during the early stages of infection.
Conclusion: J. tanjorensis leaf extracts are promising candidates for further investigation as safe and effective antimalarial therapies, particularly for early-stage infections.

Keywords

Toxicity
Histopathology
Antimalarial Activity
Plasmodium berghei
Malaria
Subjects
  1. Viswanathan MB, Ananthi JJ, Venkateshan N. Pharmacognostical studies on the leaves of Jatropha tanjorensis. Res J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2018;10(4):291-8.
  2. Habila MM, Festus EA, Morumda D, Joseph I, Chinonso AD, Sunday AM. FTIR and GC-MS analysis of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Jatropha tanjorensis leaves. Open Science Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 2021; 8(1): 1-11
  3. Anhwange BA, Agbidye IG, Kyenge BA, Ngbede PO. Phytochemical screening, antimicrobial activities and nutritional content of Jatropha tanjorensis leaves. Niger Ann Pure Appl Sci. 2019;2:108-13.
  4. Ajah O, Onyedikachi UB, Alaebo PO, Odo CE, Godwin OK, Omodamiro OD. Methanol leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis Ellis and Saroja possess phytoconstituents with free radical scavenging activity. Fudma J Sci. 2021;5(3):286-93.
  5. Aiwonegbe AE, Omoruyi U, Ogbeide OK, Imoukhuede BO, Gabrielsson BO. Anxiolytic effects, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanol extract of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf. Tanzan J Sci. 2022;48(3):596-606.
  6. Usin SGS, Iybayilola YD, Okon UE, Daramola OO. Toxicological evaluation of methanolic extract of Jatropha tanjorensis leaves. Future J Pharm Sci. 2021;7(1):21.
  7. Omoregie ES, Sisodia BS. In vitro antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of leaf extracts of Jatropha tanjorensis J. L. Ellis and Soroja. Bayero J Pure Appl Sci. 2012;5(1):90-7.
  8. Ochulor OC, Njoku OU, Uroko RI, Egba SI. Nutritional composition of Jatropha tanjorensis leaves and effects of its aqueous extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress in male Wistar albino mice. Biomed Res J. 2018;29(19):3569-76.
  9. Ndem JI, Bassey EI, Effiong BO, Bassey UE, Ini SD. Haematopoietic potential of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract in Plasmodium berghei-berghei-infected mice treated with Hippocratea africana root bark extract. J Dis Med Plants. 2019;5(4):69-73.
  10. Ebenyi LN, Yongabi KA, Ali FU, Ominyi MC, Anyanwu CB, Benjamin E, et al. Effect of aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis on parasitaemia and haematological parameters in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Niger J Biotechnol. 2021;38(1):146-53.
  11. Oladele JO, Oladele OT, Ademiluyi AO, Oyeleke OM, Awosanya OO, Oyewole OI. Chaya (Jatropha tanjorensis) leaves protect against sodium benzoate-mediated renal dysfunction and hepatic damage in mice. Clin Phytosci. 2020;6(1):13.
  12. WHO. [Internet]. 2023.
  13. Oladeji SO, Odeleye MO, Adewole AA. Review on the antimicrobial properties of Jatropha tanjorensis. Afr J Plant Sci. 2022;16(1):23-33.
  14. Ashley EA, Phyo AP. Drugs in development for malaria. Drugs. 2018;78(9):861-79.
  15. Conrad MD, Rosenthal PJ. Antimalarial drug resistance in Africa: the calm before the storm. Lancet Infect Dis. 2019;19(10):338-51.
  16. Ouji M, Augereau JM, Paloque L, Benoit-Vical F. Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies: A sword of Damocles in the path toward malaria elimination. Parasite. 2018;25.
  1. Ebohon O, Irabor F, Ebohon LO, Omoregie ES. Therapeutic failure after regimen with artemether-lumefantrine combination therapy: a report of three cases in Benin City, Nigeria. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2019;52.
  2. Adamu A, Jada MS, Haruna HM, Yakubu BO, Ibrahim MA, Balogun EO, et al. Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance gene-1 polymorphisms in Northern Nigeria: implications for the continued use of artemether-lumefantrine in the region. Malaria Journal. 2020;19:1-0.
  3. Beshir KB, Diallo N, Somé FA, Sombie S, Zongo I, Fofana B, et al. Persistent submicroscopic plasmodium falciparum parasitemia 72 hours after treatment with artemether-lumefantrine predicts 42-day treatment failure in Mali and Burkina Faso. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy. 2021;65(8):10-128.
  4. Silva-Pinto A, Domingos J, Cardoso M, Reis A, Benavente ED, Caldas JP, et al.  Artemether-lumefantrine treatment failure of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in travellers coming from Angola and Mozambique. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2021; 151-4.
  5. Wu Y, Soe MT, Aung PL, Zhao L, Zeng W, Menezes L, et al. Efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine for treating uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum cases and molecular surveillance of drug resistance genes in Western Myanmar. Malaria Journal. 2020; 1-9.
  6. OECD. Acute oral toxicity: Up and down procedure (Guideline No. 425). Guideline for the Testing of Chemicals. 2008;1-2.
  7. Matabane DL, Godeto TW, Mampa RM, Ambshe AA. Sequential extraction and risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in river sediments. Minerals. 2021;11(8):874.
  8. Alelign T, Chalchisa D, Fekadu N, Solomon D, Sisay T, Debella A, et al. Evaluation of acute and sub-acute toxicity of selected traditional antiurolithiatic plant extract in Wistar mice. Toxicol Rep. 2020;7:1358-9.
  9. Shehu A, Dankado IU, Magaji MG. Methanol extract of Caralluma dalzielli N.E. Br (Asclepiadaceae) possesses antidepressant activity in mice. J Pharm Bioresour. 2019;16:66-75.
  10. Najman K, Sadowska A, Buczak K, Leontowicz H, Leontowicz M. Effect of heat-treated garlic (Allium sativum L.) on growth parameters, plasma lipid profile and histological changes in the ileum of atherogenic rats. Nutrients. 2022;14(2):336.
  11. Misganaw D, Amare GG, Mengistu G. Chemosuppressive and curative potential of Hypoestes forskalei against Plasmodium berghei: Evidence for in vivo antimalarial activity. J Exp Pharmacol. 2020;313-23.
  12. Ndem JI, Bassey EI, Effiong BO, Bassey UE, Ini SD. Haematopoietic potential of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract in Plasmodium berghei-berghei-infected mice treated with Hippocratea africana root bark extract. J Dis Med Plants. 2019;5(4):69-73.
  13. Babayemi OO, Oke EA, Bayode MT. Antimalarial activity of aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Niger J Biotechnol. 2021;38(1):45-51.
  14. Ezendiokwere EO, Monago-Ighorodje C, Ikewuchi J. Assessment of the acute and subacute toxicity profile of diethyl ether extract of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf in male Wistar rats. J Appl Health Sci Med. 2023;3(4):1-13.
  15. Umoren EB, Okon IA, Modo EU, Etim OE, Brown PI, Owu DU, et al. Jatropha tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae ameliorates aspirin-induced hepatotoxicity and maintains electrolyte balance in albino Wistar rats. Phytomed Plus. 2023;3(2):100450.
  16. Chibuogwu CC, Njoku UO, Nwodo FCO, Ozougwu VOE, Nweze NV. Toxicity assessment of the methanol extract of Jatropha tanjorensis (Euphorbiaceae) leaves. Future J Pharm Sci. 2021;7:143-8.
  17. Widayanti E, Royhan A. Literature Review: Effect of Herbal Plant Extracts Containing Tannins on Histopathological Kidney of Diabetic Rats. Junior Med J. 2023;2(3):318-24.
  18. Ghazanfari N, Mueller SN, Heath WR. Cerebral malaria in mouse and man. Front Immunol. 2018;9:2016.
  19. Ebenyi LN, Yongabi KA, Ali FU, Ominyi MC, Anyanwu CB, Benjamin E, et al. Effect of aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis on parasitaemia and haematological parameters in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Niger J Biotechnol. 2021;38(1):146-53.
Asia Pacific Journal of Medical Toxicology
Volume 13, Issue 4
Autumn 2024
Pages 131-137

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us