TOXICITY TO BOVANS CHICKS OF CASSIA-ITALICA SEEDS

A toxicity study was made on Sudanese C. italica used in traditional m edicine for the treatment of diverse ailments. C. italica seeds were f ed to 7-day-old Bovans chicks at 10% and 2% of the diet for 6 weeks. D ecreased body weight and efficiency of feed utilization and enterohepa tonephrotoxicity were observed in chicks fed the 10% Cassia seed diet, These changes accompanied by anaemia were correlated with alteration in serum GGT, LDH and CK activities and concentrations of total choles terol, copper, zinc, iron, total iron binding capacity and other serum constituents and hepatic trace elements. Organ lesions did not comple tely disappear 3 weeks after removal from the test diet. Two percent C assia seed diet promoted the chicks' growth.