Toxicological Evaluation of Medicinal Plants. Chrysophyllum Albidum Seed Cotyledon

Master's Thesis from the year 2020 in the subject Pharmacology, grade: 80.0A, Obafemi Awolowo University (Faculty of Pharmacy), course: Pharmacology and Toxicvology, language: English, abstract: Scholars in the field of biomedicine have been able to develop models that typifies human disease conditions. In this review, the author attempts to create a narrative that begins with both anecdotal and empirical aspects of traditional medicine around the world; followed by the scientific evidences of its benefits and drawbacks.

Owing to their global popularity; in recent times, there have been a rise in public health concerns over their indiscriminate use. Scientists have reported several instances of unintentional toxic effects induced by the use of medicinal plants. More so, in terms of their toxicokinetic mechanisms; some toxic plant substances have been documented to elicit acute effects; others produce long term effects (related to delayed toxicity). However, it¿s not a terribly bad situation considering that some of these effects have been demonstrated to be reversible via special biochemical mechanisms.

The seed extracts of Chrysophyllum albidum (CA) have been reported to possess anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic properties among others. As with other phytomedicines, there has been extensive body of evidences that have reported adverse effects due to their indiscriminate use owing (but not limited) to the perceived safety of plant-based formulations. There is therefore, a need to ascertain the pharmacological activities of this medicinal plant in addition to its toxicological profile in the near future.