Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences Vol. 4(11) pp. 439-450, November 2013 DOI: http:/dx.doi.org/10.14303/jmms.2013.149 Available online http://www.interesjournals.org/JMMS Copyright © 2013 International Research Journals Full Length Research Paper Sub acute toxicity studies of the herbal cough mixture (hamekof) in adult male wister rats *Otimenyin SO, + Olorunfemi PO., Sabo YS and Attah SH *Department of Pharmacology, + Department of Pharm. Tech., Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. *Corresponding Author’s Email: sundayotimenyin@gmail.com ABSTRACT Sub-acute toxicity study was designed to investigate and ascertain the safety profile of the herbal cough mixture (Hamekof) in adult male wister rats. In this study, Hamekof was administered orally based on the body weight of the rats for a period of 28 days while the control group received 2 mls of distilled water for the same period. There were no changes in behaviors and physiological activities. Blood chemistry analysis showed no significant changes in the plasma concentration of albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, Total protein, potassium, alanine transaminase, (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, (ALP). Hamekof altered blood levels of aspartate transaminase, (AST), calcium, urea and sodium plasma concentration. Haematological analysis showed no significant changes in blood parameters (WBC count, RBC count, PCV, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, platelet and differential count) except for clotting time, which was significantly reduced. There were no significant difference in the body and organ weights between control and treated animals. Gross and histopathological examination revealed normal cells, with no abnormalities nor histopathological changes. Keywords: Hamekof, sub-acute toxicity, medicinal plants, liver enzymes. INTRODUCTION Hamekof is a medicinal cough preparation sold in Nigerian market for the management of cough. It is produced and distributed by Hameko Naturalist Hospital Ltd. It contains: Luffa aegryptiaca; Tillia species; Fillipendula ulmaria; Allium cepa; Verbena officinalis; Lycopersicon Esculentum; Marrubium vulgara; Gamma globulin; Lactuca virosa; and Eucalyptus Globulus. Luffa aegyptiaca. Mill, is known as Baska (Hausa), ás́ sá (Igbo) and kàànkan (Yoruba) in Nigeria. Luffa aegyptiaca contains luffaculin, a substance that have been reported to have cytotoxic and inhibitory effects on proliferation of the type 1 ribosome - inactivating protein, (Ng, et al., 1992), abortifacient, immunomodulatory and anti- AIDS, (Ng, et al., 1992), and anti-diabetic activity, (El-Fiky, et al., 1996). Filipendula Ulmaria, is commonly known as Meadowsweet, Dollof, or queen of the meadow. It is rich in salicylic acid, favonone – glycoside, essential oil and tannins. Pharmacological evaluation revealed that it contains aspirin, a substance that inhibits platelet aggregation, reduces pain and inflammation, (Jen-Hsou et al, 1998). It is used locally for the production of wine and beer, for its vinegar flavor, and as an anti-acid and anti-diarrhea agent, (Neltje Blanchan, 2002). Allum Cepa, commonly known as Onion, contains kampferol, beta sistosterol, ferulic acid, myritic acid, and prostaglandins, (Dhanprakash, et al., 2007). It has anti- diabetic, antioxidant, (Compos et al. 2003), anti- hypertensive, (Murakami, et al., 2003), antithrombotic, (Yamada, et al., 2004), hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties, (Saxena, et al., 1991). Locally, it is used as food, diuretic, anti-allergic, anti-oxidants, and anti- bacterial agent. It is used in the management of insect sting, colds, cough, diarrhea, facial paralysis, hay fever, hernia, laryngitis, pneumonia and trauma, (Hwang, et al., 2002; Racci, et al., 2002). Verbena Officinalis L., known locally as Vervain, contains dihydro-verbenalin and daucosterol, (Zhang, et al., 2000), apigenin, 4'-hydroxywogonin, verbenalin and hastatoside (Tian et al., 2005), β-sitosterol, ursolic acid,