Toxicological Profile and Antinociceptive Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Eremomastax Speciosa in Rodents: Environmental-Health and Sustainable-Use Implications

Background: Eremomastax speciosa is used in African ethnomedicine, yet safety evidence to support medicinal-plant use remains limited. Objective: This study evaluated the phytochemical profile, acute and 21-day oral toxicity, and antinociceptive activities of an ethanolic leaf extract. Methods: Phytochemistry was undertaken. Acute toxicity was assessed with Lorke’s procedure. Repeated-dose effects were examined through body and organ weights, haematology, hepatic and renal indices, and lipid profile. Antinociception was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and the hot-plate test. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM and analysed using one-way ANOVA at p < .05. Results: Alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, steroids and glycosides were detected. No mortality occurred at 5,000 mg/kg, indicating an oral LD50 above this dose. Repeated dosing produced no consistent adverse change in body weight, organ weight, hepatic, renal or lipid indices, although lower packed cell volume and white-cell counts warrant investigation. The extract reduced writhing dose-dependently, with recalculated inhibition of 70.4–93.8%, and increased hot-plate latency at 200 mg/kg. Conclusion: E. speciosa showed substantial antinociceptive activity with limited short-term biochemical toxicity but possible haematological safety signals. Contribution: The study integrates efficacy and safety evidence to guide environmental-health regulation, sustainable harvesting and future standardisation.