SUB-ACUTE TOXICITY ASSESSMENT OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF PERICOPSIS LAXIFLORA LEAF ON KIDNEY FUNCTION IN WISTAR RATS

Recent pharmacological studies have provided supportive evidence for the medicinal potential of Pericopsis laxiflora, particularly its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. For instance, methanolic extracts of the leaves have demonstrated significant free radical scavenging activity in vitro, suggesting a role in mitigating oxidative stress (Yakubu et al., 2016). However, concerns about toxicity and safe dosage levels have also emerged, necessitating detailed toxicological studies, including sub-acute and chronic exposure assessments. Understanding its safety profile is essential for its development into standardized herbal formulations or pharmaceutical products. As a result, Pericopsis laxiflora remains a promising yet underexplored plant with potential for both therapeutic applications and scientific advancement (Akinmoladun et al., 2014). Sub-acute toxicity refers to the adverse effects of a substance following repeated or continuous exposure over a short period, typically ranging from 14 to 28 days. It serves as a crucial step in toxicological evaluation between acute and chronic toxicity studies. Sub-acute studies are designed to identify target organs, observe dose-response relationships, and determine the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of test substances. These studies help predict potential health risks associated with repeated exposure, whether in pharmaceuticals, herbal remedies, food additives, or industrial chemicals (OECD, 2008). The duration and frequency of administration mimic real-world usage patterns, making sub-acute toxicity testing essential for assessing safety before advancing to long-term studies or clinical trials. Nature has been a powerful source of powerful medicines for thousands of years and number of modern drugs has been extracted and exploited from natural sources, for its use in traditional medicine. Traditional herbal medicines have a long history of use and are generally considered to be safer than synthetic drugs. Over 50% of all modern clinical drugs are natural products that play an important role in drug development in pharmaceutical industries (Oktay et al., 2003).