197 http://jbrcp.net JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE Toxicity Study of Potash Extract, “jar Kanwa”: An Earthy Material Consumed for Remedy of various Ailments in Northern Nigeria Original Article 1* 2 Rabiu A and Malami S . 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bayero University Kano/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. 2 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Bayero University Kano. Keywords: Consumption, Potash Extract, Safety Profile, Wistar Rats 2018 Journal Impact Factor: 1.10 Print ISSN: | Online ISSN: 2636-7378 2651-5865 J Biomed Res. Clin Pract | Vol 2 | No 4 | 2019 For Reprint Contact: jbrcp.net@gmail.com 3 abortifacient and as a preservative. It is widely consumed by Nigerians, particularly those in the Northern part of the country with the belief that it suppresses sexual desire and provides some contraceptive properties. Conversely, potash poses health hazards on human beings, especially when consumed in a large quantity. Recent reports based on expert opinions believed that consumption of potash suppresses steroidogenesis and the high sodium content could also cause pathological changes to the liver and 4 kidneys. There are different types of potash namely; sylvite (KCl, called regular potash or Muriate of potash), * Corresponding Author: Dr. Ayyuba Rabiu. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bayero University Kano/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, P.M.B. 3011, E-mail: ayyubarabiu@yahoo.com http://jbrcp.net JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION otash is a broad term that covers all the bases when Plooking at potassium-bearing minerals. These minerals are naturally found in large evaporate deposits 1 from ancient lake and sea beds or in rock formations. Literally potash means potassium compounds and potassium bearing materials. The word potash was derived in 1477 from the Middle Dutch word 2 “potaschen” meaning pot ashes. Several health benefits of potash have been unraveled. It has been used for the treatment of cough, tooth ache relief, fungicidal, Potash comprises potassium bearing minerals. These minerals are traditionally used for treatments of many ailments in Northern Nigeria with little knowledge of their safety profile. Acute toxicity (LD50) study of the potash extract was carried out on adults Wister rats. Based on the result of LD50; four groups of Wister rats; Group I, II, III and IV, each containing six males were formed. Group I was administered distilled water while group II was administered 20% (1,000 mg/kg) of the highest non-lethal dose. Group III and IV were administered 10% (500 mg/kg) and 5% (250 mg/kg) of the highest non-lethal dose respectively. These were done continuously for 28 days. Intakes of food and water were recorded daily while weights of animals were recorded weekly. There was no mortality at both phase 1& 2 of the LD50. Results of chronic toxicity revealed two mortalities recorded in group II. Acute toxicity studies of potash extract showed that it is generally safe but in sub-chronic toxicity study, the extract was lethal on the experimental animals at higher doses. Therefore, consumption of this earthy material on a long term basis should be discouraged due to its lethal effects on animal studies