Sub acute toxicity studies of the herbal cough mixture (hamekof) in adult male wister rats

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.