Acute and Sub-Acute Toxicity of Spray-Dried Extract of Tribulus Terrestris

Abstract

The use of herbal medicines has tremendously grown over the past few years. Owing to their safety, they are more preferred over conventional allopathic medicine. Plant-based therapies have significantly improved and protected human health. Additionally, dry powdered herbal medications are more effective than liquid extracts. The numerous claims are not backed up by any data that can be verified. It is the first time that the activity of Tribulus Terrestris spray-dried extract has been linked to acute and suba-cute oral toxicity. The objective of the current work was to investigate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of spray-dried extract (SDE) of Tribulus terrestris. For acute toxicity, two different doses, i.e., 2000 and 5000 mg/kg, were given to the female Wistar rats. Only one dose was administered and each animal was observed for any signs of mortality along with behavioral changes and physical symptoms for 2 weeks. Multiple doses of the SDE were given to the Wistar (both genders) rats for 28 days in the sub-acute toxicity. Animals of both the genders received 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg/day SDE doses for 28 days consecutively. Blood samples were obtained for biochemical and hematological analysis on the 29th day of the experiment, following which subjects were sacrificed for the histopathological examination. The results of acute toxicity revealed no signs of morbidity and mortality in rats. Similar results were recorded in the sub-acute toxicity. Mild variations were observed at 1000 and 1500 mg/kg/day, however results were non-significant. The SDE of Tribulus terrestris did not show any significant harmful effects in the treated animals after 14 and 28 days of treatment. Therefore, SDE of Tribulus terrestris can be safely employed in pharmaceutical formulations for therapeutic use, addressing further safety in chronic and sub-chronic study.