BEPLS Vol 3 [9] August 2014 168 | P age ©2014 AELS, INDIA Bulletin of Environment, Pharmacology and Life Sciences Bull. Env. Pharmacol. Life Sci., Vol 3 [9] August 2014: 168-171 ©2014 Academy for Environment and Life Sciences, India Online ISSN 2277-1808 Journal’s URL:http://www.bepls.com CODEN: BEPLAD Global Impact Factor 0.533 Universal Impact Factor 0.9804 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Acute Toxicity Study on the Bulb of Crinum ornatum (Ait Bury) ZK Mohammed, S Modu, A Daja, MF Olukade, SS Fatimah, AS Falmata and BB Shehu Department of Biochemistry. Faculty of Science University of Maiduguri. Nigeria ABSTRACT The acute toxicity of the Bulb of Crinum Ornatum was studied using white albino rats of the winster strain. Phytochemical screening of the ethanol extract of Crinum ornatum bulb revealed the probable presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenes and flavonoids. The total phenolic antioxidant content of the extract was evaluated by the Folin ciocalteau method. The extract revealed a total phenol antioxidant content of 271.5 expressed in mg/g GAE. Acute toxicity study of the extract upon oral administration revealed adverse effects at the lowest dose of 200mg/kg body weight with median lethal dose LD50 calculated to be 440 mg/kg body weight using the Karber arithmetic method. In conclusion, the plant should be used with caution. KEY words: Toxicity, acute, rats Received 10.05.2014 Revised 22.06.2014 Accepted 19.07.2014 INTRODUCTION The plant kingdom is a rich source of herbal remedies to both man and animal. Plant extracts have been utilized for many purposes and their uses in natural therapies and alternative medicine have been profound and revolutionary [1]. The increasing interest in the use of naturally occurring substances for the preservation of food is reported by Kadri et al., [2]. Plants and their components have been known to exhibit biological activities, especially antimicrobial and antioxidant, and have also been the subject of study, particularly by the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. The reason that antioxidants are important to human physical well being comes from the fact that reactive oxygen is a potentially toxic element since it can be transformed by metabolic activity into more reactive forms such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals, collectively known as active oxygen [2]. These molecules are formed in living cells by various metabolic pathways. Free radicals can also cause lipid peroxidation in foods that leads to their deterioration. Antioxidants play important roles in preventing the diseases induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) which result in oxidative damage to DNA, proteins and other macromolecules. Therefore, research in the determination of natural sources of antioxidants and the antioxidant potential of plants is important. The initiation of many diseases is associated with oxidative stress. Oxidative stress arises from the generation of free radicals in cells leading to cell damage. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the etiology of many pathological conditions like diabetes, atherosclerosis, malaria and cancers. Antioxidants are naturally occurring polyphenols that have the ability to fight and scavenge free radicals. The antioxidant property of plants is due to the presence of active phytochemicals like vitamins, flavonoids, terpenoids, carotenoids, coumarins, curcumins, lignin, saponin and plant sterol [3]. Crinum ornatum (Ait) Bury of the Amaryllidaceae family is a medicinal plant commonly found in tropical Africa which is native to sub Saharan Africa. It is known as ‘albasar kwaadi’ in Hausa; ‘gaadal’ in Kanuri; ‘isumeri’ in Yoruba and gaadal fabru’ in Fulfulde. The bulb of some species of Crinum is interesting because they are being used all over the world to treat disorders like urinary tract infection, coughs and cold, renal and hepatic conditions, sores, sexually transmitted diseases and backaches as well as increase lactation in animals and humans. Previous work done on crinum species reported anti bacterial and antifungal activities, antitumour and immune stimulating activities and anti- malarial,anti viral and analgesic [4]; anti insecticidal activities [5] and anticonvulsant activity [6]. Traditionally in areas of Borno and Adamawa states of Nigeria where this study was conducted herbalists claim that the bulb in very small amount increases lactation and helps in relieving breast inflammation and other breast related illnesses. However, there is no scientific validation of such claims. The assessment of plant extracts for