Acute and sub-acute (28-Day) oral toxicity studies of aqueous extract of secamone afzelii leaves in wistar rats

Abstract

Aim of the study: The present study was carried out to evaluate the acute and subacute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Secamone afzelii (AESA) Materials and Methods: Acute toxicity study was conducted in rats by using OECD 423 guidelines whereas sub-acute toxicity study was carried out in rats by using OECD 407 guidelines. In the acute toxicity study, rats were orally administered with a single dose of 2000 mg/kg and then observed individually for the first four hours, then over a period of 24 hours and at least once daily for 14 days. In the subacute toxicity studies, AESA was given orally at doses of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg body weight daily for 28 days to male and female rats respectively. General behavior, adverse effects and mortality were observed throughout the experimental period. Food intake, water intake, body weight, organ weight, hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated. Results: The limit dose of 2000 mg/kg did not cause any mortality or signs of acute toxicity in the rats tested during the observation period. In sub-acute toxicity tests, the results did not show any treatment related abnormalities in terms of hematological but showed biochemical parameters abnormalities. There was a significant increase (p