Sub-Acute Toxicity Assessment of a Polyherbal Product “Combo” on Liver and Kidney Function Indices in Experimental Rats

Abstract

“Combo” is a standardized polyherbal drink prepared from five different medicinal plants. It is popularly used in Nigeria, mostly by women for reproductive and sexual dysfunction. Due to its widespread appeal to trying to conceive (TTC) patients and long-time abuse as an aphrodisiac, the effect of sub-acute administration of combo for 28 days on liver and kidney function indices in experimental rats was investigated. Serum biochemical indices and hematological parameters were determined and compared for significant variation with a reference group. In contrast to traditional belief among users, oral administration of Combo to rats once a day for 28 days at either 100, 200, or 300 mg/Kg bw did not lead to a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in body weight. There was little or no difference in all the studied biochemical parameters in comparison to the control except for slight variation at the highest dose level. There was also a significant increase in albumin concentration at all dose levels which can be linked to an increased availability of sex hormones. The study shows that the “Combo” extract has no significant adverse effect at the lower doses of 100 and 200 mg/Kg bw. Keywords: Polyherbal, Medicinal, Sub-acute, “Combo”, Biochemical, Adverse effect