The roots, stem, and leaves of Sarcocephalus latifolius are widely used in pharmacopoeia to treat various
inflammatory diseases. However, few studies have been performed on the fruits of this plant. This study set out
to assess the aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius fruits' innocuity against female rats and mice. Six
female mice, each weighing 23g, were given a single dosage of 5000 mg/kg bw of the extract along with distilled
water. Fourteen days were spent observing them. Thirty rats, each weighing 162g, were given distilled water
and, over a period of 28 days, an aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius fruit at doses of 100, 250, and 500
mg/kg bw. In the acute test, no signs of toxicity or mortality were noted. In the sub-acute test, no discernible
change was found in the relative weight of organs collected compared with the control group. Analysis of
haematological parameters showed that the extract caused no significant variation in blood cell counts at the
doses tested compared to the control. For biochemical parameters, the extract at all doses showed no significant
variation from the control. Extract at 500 mg/kg bw showed no significant alteration of liver and kidney
parenchyma in rats compared to controls. The fruits of Sarcocephalus latifolius are non-toxic and can be used in
traditional medicine to treat patients at the doses tested.

Fruit, Sarcocephalus latifolius, Toxicity, Rats