Abstract
Abstract: This study aimed at examination of the toxicity of Citrullus colocynthis extract in rats after oral administration of ¼ of LD50 every week for 10 weeks. The oral LD50 was determined for the extract of Citrullus colocynthis plants obtained from three different localities in Libya including Tarhona, Alzawia and Suq-Alkhamis, which were calculated as 100, 101.7 and 162.4 mg/kg. b.wt., respectively. Rats used in the present experiment were classified into four groups; the first, the second and the third groups were given the extract of the plant collected from Tarhona, Alzawia and Suq-Alkhamis, respectively, while the fourth one was kept as a control. Blood samples were collected for haematological and biochemical examination. Specimens from lung, liver, kidney, intestine, stomach and spleen were taken from the treated and control rats for histopathological examination. The treated rats suffered from severe yellow diarrhea, dyspnea, depression and weakness of hind limbs. The blood picture of treated rats showed marked changes in total RBC count, PCV %, Hb concentration, WBC count and differential leukocytic count. Serum GPT, GOT, ALP, glucose, total protein, urea and creatinine and serum electrolytes were severely affected. Pathological changes in lung, liver, kidney, spleen, stomach and intestine were recorded in the treated rats. [A. Elgerwi, Z. Benzekri, S. Awaidat, A. El-Magdoub, A. Abusnina, A. El-Mahmoudy. Subchronic haemotoxicity and histotoxicity of Citrullus colocynthis.. J Am Sci 2013;9(5):79-87]. (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 12 Key Words: Citrullus colocynthis, Rats, Hematological, Biochemical, Histopathological.