Biosafety Assessment of Petroleum Ether Oil of Aframomum melegueta K. Schum in Wistar Rats

Objectives: The study was aimed at evaluating the biosafety of reported insecticidal potency of Aframomum melegueta petroleum extract (AMPE) used on stored products using wistar rats as a model.

Study Design: Assessment of biochemical indices on treated and control rats.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biology Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. April, 2015.

Methodology: Aframomum melegueta seeds were extracted using soxhlet extractor and the filtrate later concentrated using the rotary evaporator to obtain A. melegueta petroleum ether extract (AMPE). Twenty four rats were divided into four groups labeled I, II, III and IV (six rats per group). Group I served as the control group and were administered orally with Dimethyl Sulphoxide (DMSO) and normal saline, Group II were administered orally with 500 mg/kg of AMPE, Group III were administered orally with 1000 mg/kg of AMPE while Group IV were administered orally with 2000 mg/kg of AMPE all dissolved in DMSO and Normal saline. Animals were weighed, anesthetized and blood samples were collected at the end 5 days of oral administration. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for some biochemical parameters such as Total proteins, bilirubin, cholesterol, uric acid, creatinine, Urea and Uric acid activities as well as serum, AST and ALT were determined.

Results: At the end of this research work, it was discovered that at doses higher than 500 mg/kg there were enzymatic leakages from the organs (kidney and liver) into the serum, compared to the control group.

Conclusion: The study revealed that it is advisable to use minimal dosages for the management of insect pest on products meant to be consumed by human, to prevent damage to vital organs as observed in the results at higher doses while higher doses should be for seeds meant for propagation.