Control of Chemical Contaminants and Evaluation of Oral Subacute Toxicity of an Alcoholic Polyherbal Product “Plaie de ventre” Marketed for Health Claims in Yopougon (Côte d’Ivoire)

Objective: Alcoholic mixtures are highly appreciated by the Ivorian population to their low cost and for their health claims. Contaminants control and toxicity tests were carried out in order to check the harmlessness of extractable from polyherbal product “Plaie de ventre”.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy of Félix Houphouët-Boigny University for a period of 4 months.

Methods: The search for pesticide residues and metallic trace elements was carried out respectively by high-performance liquid phase chromatography and by atomic absorption with air-arc flame ethylene AAS 20, respectively. Subacute oral toxicity study involved daily administration of the extractable from the polyherbal product to three groups of rats for 28 days at doses of 21.06, 42.12, and 84.24 mg/kg bw.

Results: The detected residues of pesticides and trace metals in product “Plaie de ventre” mixture were consistent with the standards for their use. Moreover, the administration of extractable from this mixture did not result in any alteration of the body or relative weights of the rats, the structure of the kidney and liver at different doses. Finally, the analysis of the hematological and biochemical parameters indicated a noteworthy escalation (p < 0.05) in levels of white blood cells, blood platelets, and serum triglycerides.

Conclusion: The extract from the polyherbal “Plaie de ventre” caused changes in hematological and biochemical parameters compared to control group in treated rats. Consumers may face a long-term risk of developing hyperlipidemia.