Some Aspects of Pharmacotoxicity of Goro (Cola nitida) In Rats

Abstract

The Pharmacotoxicty effects of oral administration of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for 28 days to rats were investigated. The result showed that goro significantly decreased water and food intake and body weight of rats. Significant increase in locomotor activity such as line crossing, rearing, grooming and light/dark transition was shown at the dose of 100mg/kg, but activity was decreased at 200 and 400 mg/kg. Goro at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg decreased platelet count, increased serum urea, creatinine and alanine and aspartate aminotransferase suggesting liver and renal injury in treated rats. Goro, further, at a dose of 200mg/kg improved sexual desire and performance, but decreased sperm count, morphology, motility and functional testicular marker enzymes. In the case of female rats, goro significantly blocked ovulation, altered estrous cycle and produced some teratogenic effects in foetal rats. Goro at a dose of 100mg/kg caused induction of hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase in rats, but at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg inhibited the drug metabolizing enzymes. It is likely that goro may produce pharmacological effects at the dose of 100mg/kg and toxicology effects at higher doses.