Search Repository Universitas Fort De Kock

Pengguna obat tradisional berbasis tanaman terus meningkat, namu sejak
aspek keamanan masih perlu diteliti lebih lanjut. Daun afrika (Vernonia
Amygdalina Del.) diketahui memiliki berbagai manfaat farmakologis seperti
antidiabetes, antihipertensi dan antikanker tetapi data mengenai toksisitasnya
masih terbatas. Daun Afrika (Vernonia amygdalina Del.) merupakan tanaman
obat yang banyak dimanfaatkan masyarakat untuk pengobatan tradisional, namun
aspek keamanannya masih terbatas diteliti. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk
mengevaluasi toksisitas subkronis oral ekstrak etanol daun Afrika pada tikus putih
galur Wistar selama 90 hari. Ekstrak diperoleh melalui metode maserasi
menggunakan etanol 70% dan diberikan secara oral pada tikus dengan variasi
dosis 600, 800, dan 1000 mg/kgBB, serta kelompok kontrol. Parameter yang
diamati meliputi gejala klinis toksisitas, perubahan berat badan, berat organ
relatif, serta gambaran histopatologi hati dan ginjal. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan
bahwa pemberian ekstrak etanol daun Afrika pada dosis uji menimbulkan gejala
toksisitas ringan seperti diare, kelemahan, perubahan kondisi bulu, tremor, dan
sesak napas, terutama pada dosis 1000 mg/kgBB. Namun, tidak ditemukan
perbedaan bermakna pada berat badan maupun organ relatif antar kelompok
perlakuan. Pemeriksaan histopatologi memperlihatkan jaringan hati dan ginjal
kelompok kontrol dan dosis rendah (600 mg/kgBB) dalam batas normal. Pada
dosis 800 mg/kgBB ditemukan perubahan minimal, sedangkan pada dosis 1000
mg/kgBB teramati kerusakan sedang berupa degenerasi hepatosit, pelebaran vena
sentralis, hemoragi, serta degenerasi sel ginjal. Kesimpulannya, ekstrak etanol
daun Afrika relatif aman dikonsumsi hingga dosis 800 mg/kgBB, namun pada
dosis 1000 mg/kgBB dapat menimbulkan kerusakan organ. Penelitian lebih lanjut
disarankan untuk menentukan dosis aman tanpa efek toksik (NOAEL) melalui uji
biokimia darah dan variasi dosis lebih rendah.

The use of plant-based traditional medicines continues to increase, but
their safety aspects still require further investigation. African leaf (Vernonia
amygdalina Del.) is known to have various pharmacological benefits such as
antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and anticancer effects; however, data on its toxicity
remain limited. African leaf is widely used by the community for traditional
treatment, but its safety profile is still under-researched. This study aimed to
evaluate the subchronic oral toxicity of ethanol extract of African leaf in Wistar
strain white rats over a period of 90 days. The extract was obtained through
maceration using 70% ethanol and administered orally at doses of 600, 800, and
1000 mg/kg body weight, along with a control group. Observed parameters
included clinical signs of toxicity, body weight changes, relative organ weights,
and histopathological features of the liver and kidneys. The results showed that
administration of the ethanol extract at the test doses caused mild toxicity
symptoms such as diarrhea, weakness, changes in fur condition, tremors, and
shortness of breathespecially at the 1000 mg/kg BW dose. However, there were
no significant differences in body weight or relative organ weights between the
treatment groups. Histopathological examination showed that liver and kidney
tissues in the control and low-dose group (600 mg/kg BW) remained within
normal limits. At 800 mg/kg BW, minimal changes were observed, whereas at
1000 mg/kg BW, moderate damage was seen, including hepatocyte degeneration,
central vein dilation, hemorrhage, and kidney cell degeneration. In conclusion,
ethanol extract of African leaf is relatively safe for consumption up to a dose of
800 mg/kg BW, but at 1000 mg/kg BW it may cause organ damage. Further
studies are recommended to determine the safe dose without toxic effects
(NOAEL) through blood biochemical tests and lower dose variations.