STUDY OF THE ACUTE TOXICITY OF SEEDS AND PULPS OF LAGENARIA SICERARIA (MOL) STANDL USED IN TRADITIONAL NIGERIAN PHARMACOPEE

Mahamane Sabiou Sani Maazou*, Toumana Abdoulaye, Sahabi Bakasso, Aminatou Bako, Maman Moustapha Rabiou, Haoua Sabo, Hassimi Sadou

ABSTRACT

Lagenaria siceraria, a plant of the cucurbitaceae family, is widely used in traditional Nigerien medicine. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of aqueous extracts of the pulp and seeds of Lagenaria siceraria collected in the six (6) regions of Niger. For this purpose, the OECD protocol for the testing of chemicals was used. The results obtained show that all extracts induced changes in the general behaviour of the treated mice within the first two hours after administration. The aqueous extracts of seeds and pulp from the Tillabery and Zinder regions and the aqueous extract of pulp from the Maradi region showed no signs of toxicity. These extracts induced, at a dose of 300mg/kg body weight, a weight gain in mice following an increase in food intake. Conversely, extracts of seeds and pulps from the Tahoua, Niamey and Dosso regions and Maradi pulp extract caused disturbances in food and water intake as well as body weight. There were no deaths of mice during the experiment. The extracts studied can be classified in category 4 with an LD50 between 300 and 2000mg/kg.

Keywords: Lagenaria siceraria; acute toxicity; Niger.