A study of acute toxicity of dry extracts of the earth almond (chufa) tubers and herb

Abstract

The aim of the work – to study the acute toxicity of dry extracts obtained from herb and tubers of the earth almond.
 Materials and methods. The objects of research were dry extracts obtained from herb and tubers of the Cyperus esculentus L. (chufa). Acute toxicity of dry extracts, obtained from the earth almond herb and tubers, was studied with V. B. Prozorovskyi’s method on 42 white nonlinear mice of both sexes weighing 21–25 g, divided into groups (each comprising 3 males and 3 females). The studied extracts were administered once intraperitoneally in doses of 1000 mg/kg, 3000 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg. The animals were observed for 14 days.
 Results. Single intraperitoneal administration of dry extracts obtained from herb and tubers of the earth almond at doses of 1000 mg/kg, 3000 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg did not affect the dynamics of mice’s body weight in comparison with the control group. Experimental and control animals gained weight in accordance with physiological norms. External examination of the animals showed no signs of pathological changes in their condition: the hair and skin were clean, the subcutaneous layer of adipose tissue was moderate, signs of skin damage and inflammatory lesions were not observed on the mucous membranes. Besides, visual estimation of the internal organs condition showed no signs of pathological changes.
 Conclusions. According to the results of acute toxicity determination based on the classification by K. K. Sydorov, dry extracts obtained from herb and tubers of the earth almond, can be attributed to class VI toxicity – almost harmless substances, LD50 >5000 mg/kg.