Toxicity of Rhazya stricta to sheep.

The toxicity of Rhazya stricta leaves for Najdi sheep is described in 9 sheep assigned as untreated controls, Rhazya-treated at 0.25 g/kg/d and Rhazya-treated at 1 g/kg/d. The oral use of 1 g/kg/d caused body weight depression, ruminal bloat, diarrhea, dyspnea and weakness of the hind limbs. Enterohepatonephropathy, pulmonary congestion, hemorrhage and emphysema, lymphocytes in vital organs, and congestion of the blood vessels of the heart were associated with increases in serum AST and LDH, in elevated bilirubin and urea concentrations, and decreased total protein, albumin and calcium concentrations, and leucopenia and anemia.