Hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic principles in Terminalia oblongata

A study was conducted to identify and characterise the toxic principle in Terminalia oblongata, commonly known as yellow-wood. Crude aqueous extracts of yellow-wood leaf were found to produce the same liver lesion in mice as has been reported in ruminants. The hepatotoxic fraction was isolated and identified as a hydrolysable vegetable tannin called punicalagin. When given orally, the dose required to produce toxicity was at least 20 times greater than when given intraperitoneally. Following a given dose of punicalagin, the onset and severity of liver necrosis was found to be related to the time interval after dosing. In addition to punicalagin, an unidentified nephrotoxic substance was found which was capable of producing avascular renal necrosis without liver necrosis.