Evaluation of acute oral toxicity of a herbomineral supplement for immunity against mastitis

Abstract

Mastitis, one of the costliest health problems faced by dairy farms, is an inflammation of the mammary gland parenchyma, which, together with physical, chemical and microbiological changes of milk, is characterized by an increase in the number of somatic cells in the milk and by pathological changes in the mammary tissue. AV/IAM/16 is a herbomineral supplement for immunity against mastitis. A study was undertaken to evaluate the acute oral toxicity potential of AV/IAM/16 (M/s Ayurvet Limited, India) according to OECD 423 guidelines. Six (3 male and 3 female) Swiss albino mice were used for the study, where each animal served as its own control. After procurement, the animals were kept in the cages for seven days for acclimatization. Thereafter, the animals were fasted overnight; food but not water was withheld for 3-4 hours. Following the period of fasting, the animals were weighed and the test substance was administered orally. Following the oral administration of the test substance, the animals were observed over a period of 14 days for manifestation of toxic effects and mortality. The observations included changes in skin, coat and eyes; and changes in respiratory, circulatory, CNS, autonomic, somatic activity and behavior. Clinical signs like muscular tremors, convulsions, salivation, diarrhea, lethargy, sleep, and coma, if observed, were recorded. At the end of 14 days, necropsy and histopathological parameters were also studied. No toxic effects or mortalities were observed during the study and, hence, AV/IAM/16 was found to be safe for oral use.