Toxicological Profiling of Long-Term Oral Administration of Ultrasound-Assisted Ethanolic Lemongrass Leaves Extract in Sprague Dawley Rats:

Jacob Apibilla Ayembilla; Abdul Rashid Adams; Felix Abekah Botchway; Olga Quasie; Sharif Buari Abubakari; Stephen Antwi; Eric Nana Yaw Nyarko; Andrew Gordon; Lawrence Nugbienyo; Phyllis Naa Yarley Otu; Abdul Rauf Khalid; Kwame Owen Kottoh; Peace Ahiabenu-Williams

Jacob Apibilla Ayembilla Accra Technical University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2164-5962
Abdul Rashid Adams Medical Laboratory Science Department, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1968-687X
Felix Abekah Botchway Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University, Accra. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3799-2317
Olga Quasie Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Centre for Plant Medicine Research https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7638-8919
Shari Buari Abubakari Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Centre for Plant Medicine Research https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0023-4731
Stephen Antwi Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Centre for Plant Medicine Research https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3712-1431
Eric Nana Yaw Nyarko Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School
Andrew Gordon Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9706-7759
Lawrence Nugbienyo Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5115-171X
Phyllis Naa Yarley Otu Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6042-7952
Abdul Rauf Khalid Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University, Accra. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6685-4816
Kwame Owen Kottoh Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2915-7690
Peace Ahiabenu-Williams Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University, Accra. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4780-6720

Keywords: Sprague Dawley, lemongrass, Ultrasound-assisted extraction, Cymbopogon citratus, toxicity

Abstract

The study investigated the toxicological profile of lemongrass leaf extract obtained by ultrasound- assisted ethanolic (UAE) technique in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Extracts of dried lemongrass leaves were obtained by the UAE technique. A single oral dose of 5000mg/kg body weight of the extract was administered by gavage to ten (10) female SD rats, and 1 mL/100g bw.t of normal saline was used as a vehicle for the control rats for acute toxicity studies. An hourly observation was made on the rats for the first 12 hours, and a 24-hour observation was made after 24, 48 hours, up to 14 days for any indications of acute toxicity. Another set of rats was also administered, respectively, with 200, 600, and 1200mg/kg bw.t doses of the extract for six weeks to determine its maximum permissible dosage and long-term toxicological effect. The SD rats› body weights were recorded. Urine and blood samples were collected for urinalysis, clinical chemistry, and haematological analysis, respectively. The heart, kidney, liver, spleen, and lungs were harvested after sacrificing the rats for histopathological examination after the termination of the experiment. At the end of the study, no mortality or morbidity was recorded for both the acute and subchronic studies nor were any signs of clinical abnormality presented by the rats. Moreover, the biochemical, haematological, and urine analysis data were in the same trend as the vehicle-treated rats, and histopathological alterations in the selected organs were not observed. The study revealed that the lemongrass leaves extract obtained by the UAE technique is safe with LD50 > 5000mg/kg bw.t.

Author Biographies

Jacob Apibilla Ayembilla, Accra Technical University

A Lecturer at Accra Technical University and a PhD candidate in Chemical Pathology at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. I have a broad-spectrum research interest in non-communicable diseases and global health. I have expertise in the design and conduct of in vivo and in vitro studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants and natural products for non-communicable diseases. My current research focuses on metabolomic profiling and whole-exome sequencing of colorectal cancer to identify novel mutations among Ghanaian colorectal cancer patients. I am interested in population aging and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementia (AD/ADRD). My research uses advanced data analytics, including epidemiological methods, to explore genetic and environmental risk factors associated with cognitive decline. My ongoing research includes causal inference analysis of the relationships between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), amyloid and tau proteins, and cognitive outcomes using Mendelian Randomization as well as MR analysis of blood cell traits and cardiometabolic risk among continental Africans.

Abdul Rashid Adams, Medical Laboratory Science Department, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.

Abdul Rashid Adams is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Ghana’s School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences. He holds a BSc and an MSc in Clinical Cytology from the University of Ghana and is currently pursuing a PhD in Molecular and Immunological Sciences at the University of Health and Allied Sciences. His research centers on cervical cancer, oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV), and host immune responses, with a focus on cytokine profiling and viral genetic markers. He has published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national and international scientific meetings, and serves as a reviewer for Scientific African. His technical skills include clinical cytology, histopathology techniques, and molecular diagnostics.

Felix Abekah Botchway, Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University, Accra.

I am a faculty member at the Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Science, Accra Technical University. My research interests involve the identification, characterization, and validation of biomarkers of malaria severity in sickle cell disease to guide the discovery of new diagnostics, prognostics, and drug targets. The impact of this research is immense and will benefit both malaria and sickle cell patients. I teach, train, and supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students in these thematic areas. I am a member of Professional bodies, including the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), the Ghana Association of Biomedical Laboratory Scientists, and the American Association of Clinical Chemistry. I have successfully supervised over 120 BTech Students/Theses with over 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Olga Quasie, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Centre for Plant Medicine Research

Olga Quasie, a Senior Research Scientist at the Centre for Plant Medicine Research. I have been with the Centre for the past 22 years. A first degree in Chemistry, M.Phil. in Biochemistry, and currently hold a PhD in Traditional Chinese Pharmacy. I have worked with the Phytochemistry department and am currently working and heading the department of Pharmacology & Toxicology of the Centre. Conducting and promoting research into the safety, efficacy, and product development of herbal medicines and plant extracts is my main area of research. My interests include finding herbal alternatives for some disease conditions, including diabetes and hypertension.

Shari Buari Abubakari, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Centre for Plant Medicine Research

Sharif Buari Abubakari is a trained Pharmacologist with experience in in vitro and in vivo safety and efficacy studies. He experiments on the potency and toxicity of isolated natural and pharmacologically active products on laboratory rats and mice with strict adherence to laboratory animal usage policies. Sharif also has an interest in skin cancer research, where he has in the past studied the effect of Chlorotoxin (TM 601) in targeting melanoma cell growth and metastasis.

Stephen Antwi, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Centre for Plant Medicine Research

Stephen Antwi is a Senior Research Scientist and Head of the Animal Experimentation Unit at the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), Ghana. With formal training in biochemistry and pharmacology, he has over sixteen years of hands-on experience designing and executing in vivo and in vitro studies on the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants and herbal products. His research focuses primarily on inflammation, with additional expertise in anti-malarial, analgesic, anti-hypertensive, and anti-diabetic pharmacology. Dr. Antwi has contributed to over 25 peer-reviewed publications and collaborates extensively across institutions. He supervises multi-level student research and supports regulatory alignment with FDA Ghana and WHO standards. He holds a PhD in Pharmacology and an MBA in Health Services Administration and is committed to bridging traditional medicine with modern pharmacological science.

Eric Nana Yaw Nyarko, Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School

Eric N. Y. Nyarko is a Senior Lecturer with the Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School. Broad areas of research interests - Clinical Chemistry, Ecotoxicology, and Digital Health.

Andrew Gordon, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University

Dr. Andrew Gordon, a Senior Lecturer in Analytical Chemistry at Accra Technical University, holds a PhD in Pharmacognosy from China Pharmaceutical University (2021) and specializes in analytical method development using HPLC and GC-MS, MALDI-MS metabolomics, and bioactive phytoconstituents. His research centers on pharmaceutical quality control, metabolite mapping in biological tissues, and the development of plant-based therapeutics. He has published in prominent journals, including Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Analytical Chemistry, and Phytotherapy Research. Dr. Gordon teaches courses in Pharmaceutical Analysis, Nutraceuticals, and Functional Group Chemistry, and is a member of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. His current projects focus on advancing MALDI imaging techniques and modifying bioactive compounds for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial applications.

Lawrence Nugbienyo, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University

Dr. Lawrence Nugbienyo holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy and is a lecturer at Accra Technical University, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Accra, Ghana). His areas of research interest include microextraction and related separation techniques, miniaturization, automation, and green solvents.

Phyllis Naa Yarley Otu, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University

Prof. Mrs. Phyllis Naa Yarley Otu of Accra Technical University (ATU) is an Associate Professor at the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (DSLT) and Director of Quality Assurance & Academic Planning Directorate (QAAPD). She is a member of the Academic Board, a former Head of Department (DSLT, 2021-2024), and Chairman of the Strategic Plan Sub-committee (2026-2030) at ATU. She obtained her BSc. and MSc. From Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana, in 2005 and 2010 respectively, and a PhD from Jiangsu University, China, in 2021. She is an expert in Food Science & Technology, her teaching subject area, and researches food separation, particularly polysaccharides and other bioactive compounds in plants for product development. Her ongoing projects include investigating the use of waste in the cultivation of various mushroom species.

Abdul Rauf Khalid, Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University, Accra.

My name is Abdul Raouf Khalid, and I am a dedicated medical laboratory scientist with over two years of experience in the field, specializing in enhancing diagnostic processes and patient care. I hold an ASCPI (American Society for Clinical Pathology) certification, which underscores my commitment to maintaining the highest standards in laboratory practices. My proficiency in data analysis allows me to leverage various tools such as Excel, Power BI, Tableau, and SPSS, enabling me to effectively interpret complex datasets and derive meaningful insights.

My research interests are centered around translational research that aims to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and clinical applications. I am passionate about developing innovative methodologies that can improve medical diagnosis and patient outcomes. I thrive in collaborative environments and am committed to contributing to advancements in healthcare through rigorous research and analysis. I look forward to continuing my professional development and making significant contributions to the field.

Kwame Owen Kottoh, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University

My name is Owen Kottoh Kwame. I am dedicated to medical laboratory science with five years of experience as a medical laboratory Assistant and two years as a medical laboratory scientist. I specialized in clinical diagnosis and patient care. I also hold a degree in Medical Laboratory Science, which enhances my industrial and research skills scientifically. This aids in my research by bridging the link between clinical diagnosis and industrial science to improve patient well-being.

Peace Ahiabenu-Williams, Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University, Accra.

I am a Medical Laboratory Scientist specializing in toxicological evaluation. With a strong foundation in biomedical science and laboratory Technology, I’m passionate about advancing clinical and environmental toxicology to better understand the effects of harmful substances on human health, focusing on precise analytical techniques and evidence-based toxicological assessments.

Toxicological Profiling of Long-Term Oral Administration of Ultrasound-Assisted Ethanolic Lemongrass Leaves Extract in Sprague Dawley Rats

Toxicological profile of lemongrass leaves

Abstract

Author Biographies