Toxicity of the aqueous extracts of raw and processed larva of
Cirina forda
(Westwood) administered orally were studied in white albino mice and albino rats. Preliminary investigation showed that the raw extract was toxic to mice, showing sign of irritability and muscular tremor. An LD
50 value of 7,000mg/kg body weight was obtained for the raw extract using mice. The effects of sub lethal dose of the extract on hematological and serum biochemical parameters were also studied in rats for 14 days. No significant effect was observed on most of the hematological and biochemical indices estimated (P> 0.05). Activities of some serum enzymes were normal in all the rats. However, the serum total protein and globulin levels were significantly higher in the control and the group that received processed larva than in the group administered with the raw larva (P<0.05). The albumin level was not affected by the extracts. Boiling of the larva in water followed by sun drying treatment (processed larva) was associated with an increase in the serum total protein and globulin levels in rats. However, the neurotoxic nature of the raw extract needs further investigation.
