DIEFFENBACHIA SEGUINE INGESTION: IT MAY NOT BE AS BAD AS IT HAS BEEN LABELED IN RECENT TIMES
Moses W. Bariweni*, Raymond I. Ozolua, Oboma I. Yibala, Gideon O. Alade and Imomoton J. Ogoina
ABSTRACT
Exposure of humans and animals to certain plants has often resulted in cases of poisoning. The dumb cane plant, Dieffenbachia seguine (Jacq.) Schott (Araceae), is a popular indoor ornamental plant in Nigeria with trending fears regarding its very poisonous nature upon acute eating of the leaves. Fresh leaves of D. seguine were extracted in70% methanol and the dried extract (DSME) was employed in in the estimation of LD50 in rats. Subacute toxicity was evaluated at doses of 625, 1250 and 2500 mg/kg/day of the extract for 14 consecutive days. At the end of treatment, whole body and organ weights, hematological, biochemical and histological parameters were evaluated. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) value was estimated to be 3808 mg/kg. Changes in whole body weights were not significantly different from control but the relative liver weight increased in the treated groups. There was a significant (P<0.5) reduction in white blood cell count, platelet count and the percentage of lymphocytes but the percentage of neutrophils increased significantly (P<0.01) in the treated groups. There was significant (P<0.05) reduction in urea, creatinine and bilirubin levels. The serum levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase increased significantly (P<0.05). Serum levels of total protein and albumin decreased significantly. Histology showed potentials for liver and kidney damage. The oral LD50 of DSME does not seem to agree with recent fears associated with oral ingestion of the leaves. Chronic ingestion of large quantities of the leaves may be toxic to the kidneys, liver, and the immune system.
Keywords: Dieffenbachia, acute toxicity, sub-acute toxicity, liver damage, renal toxicity.
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