Cannabis sativa in ethanol (Monkey Tail) and tramadol induced similar degrees of toxicity in adult female Wistar rats

Abstract

Background & Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the toxic effects of Cannabis sativa local gin formulation (CSLGF) and tramadol in adult female Wistar rats. Experimental: Cannabis sativa local gin formulation (CSLGF) was prepared and was subjected to acute toxicity tests together with tramadol. In the main study, 25 rats were assigned into 5 groups (n = 5) in which the group 1 received no treatment, groups 2 and 3 received 25 and 50 mg/kg of tramadol, respectively while groups 4 and 5 received 25 and 50 mg/kg of CSLGF, respectively, for 21 days before the rats were sacrificed. Results: Acute toxicity results indicated narrow margins of safety for CSLGF and tramadol with LD50 values of 123.0 and 133.0 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The rats treated with CSLGF lost weight significantly while that administered tramadol had lower weight gains when compared with the control (P0.05). Treatment with CSLGF and tramadol also significantly lowered glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities but increased malondialdehyde concentrations when compared with control. Recommended applications/industries: The findings show that although the toxic effects of CSLGF and tramadol in rats are similar, CSLGF appears to have higher toxicity potentials. Extending the current control on tramadol to CSLGF (monkey tail) is urgently needed in Nigeria to protect human lives.

Keywords

• antioxidant enzymes
• biochemical
• cannabis sativa