The use of traditional herbal recipes is increasing increasingly all over the eath. These plants, use in the treatment of various pathologies, are for the most part of source of sometimes tragic and fatal poisoning.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of the leaves of Albizia adianthifolia S. and Combretum molle R. plants frequently used un traditional medicine in the city of Lubumbashi, respectively for treatment of eye diseases, against diabetes and as an anthelmintic. The assessment of acute toxicity was carried out by observing certain clinical signs of toxicity. The assay of the biochemical parameters namely urea, creatinine, albumin, bilirubin was also carried out.
The aqueous extracts of macerated leaves of Albizia adianthifolia S. and Combretum molle R. as plant material were administered orally to male guinea pigs during the experiment at three doses (1000, 2000 and 3000 mg/kg).
Renal, hepatic and cardiac toxicity as well as haematologic toxicity were observed by the disturbance of the parameters analyzed, including loss of hair in the abdomen and back, aggressiveness, chills, abnormal breathing, eating disorder, isolation and difficulty in locomotion.
In conclusion, the use of Albizia adianthifolia S. at doses greater than 1g/kg would be toxic for guinea pigs although the LD50 is above 3 kg/ kg and with regard to the use of Combretum molle, it can be classified in the categoty of low toxic plants.