Acute and Sub-acute Oral Toxicity Study of Drepanoalpha® (A Poly-Herbal Formula Used in the Management of Sickle Cell Disease) in Guinea-pigs

Aims: To deepen the toxicological investigation of Drepanoalpha®, a poly-herbal formula used for its antisickling and radical scavenging properties in Congolese traditional medicine.

Study Design: To evaluate lethality, biochemical alterations, behavioral disturbances in guinea-pigs orally given increasing doses of Drepanoalpha® aqueous extracts.

Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Official University of Bukavu, Bukavu, DR Congo, between June to December 2015.

Methodology: The extracts were prepared as aqueous decoctions of Drepanoalpha powder. Animals were set to groups of 3 animals each. The doses varied from 250 mg to 16000 mg/kg body weight. Acute toxicity had to be estimated by LD50. Sub-acute toxicity was carried out by giving fractionated doses of Drepanoalpha extract during 2 weeks. Changes in blood biomarkers and behavioral signs were evaluated from baseline values of control untreated animals.

Results: Up to 16000 mg/kg, no death was recorded in acute toxicity. Thus, LD50 was not calculated. No significant changes in animals behavioral were observed during sub-acute testing. Instead, body weight gain, blood cell counts increase, BUN and ALT decrease, no change in serum creatinine were noted.

Conclusion: The findings comfort the safety of Drepanoalpha as found previously studies in rats.