Acute and sub-acute Toxicity study of Aqueous extracts of Canscora heteroclita (L) Gilg in Rodents

Rajasekaran Aiyalu,Arivukkarasu Ramasamy

doi:10.5530/pj.2016.4.15

Abstract

Background: Canscora heteroclita (C. heteroclita) being used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine in India for treatment of various diseases. No systematic toxicity study for this plant was described. Objective: The present study was undertaken to assess the safety use of this plant in traditional practice. Materials and Methods: The acute oral toxicity study of aqueous extract of Canscora heteroclita (AECH) was carried out as per the OECD guidelines 423 in mice and the sub-acute toxicity was carried out at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg as per OECD 407 guidelines in male and female rats. Results: Mice administered upto 2000 mg/kg as a single dose orally not caused any signs of toxicity or mortality in mice. In sub-acute toxicity study in rats, AECH at two different daily doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg for 28 days did not cause any significant change including the hematological and biochemical parameters. Histopathological examinations showed normal architecture suggesting no morphological disturbances. Conclusion: No deaths or any signs of toxicity was observed after oral administration in acute toxicity study upto a dose of 2000 mg/kg of AECH in mice and upto a dose of 400 mg/kg of AECH in sub acute toxicity study in rats.

Highlights

Canscora heteroclita (L.) Gilg (Figure 1) (Gentianaceae) synonymically called as Canscora sessiliflora and Gentiana heteroclita is a gregarious moderately to profusely branched herb
Single oral administration of aqueous extract of Canscora heteroclita (AECH) at a dose of 5, 50, 300 and 2000 mg/kg as per OECD guideline 423 for 14 days did not produce any mortality in tested animals (Table 1)
Oral administration of AECH at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg elicited no change in skin and fur, eyes, mucous membranes, respiratory, circulatory, autonomic, central nervous systems and behaviour pattern of the rodents

Summary

Introduction

Canscora heteroclita (L.) Gilg (Figure 1) (Gentianaceae) synonymically called as Canscora sessiliflora and Gentiana heteroclita is a gregarious moderately to profusely branched herb. There is no scientific evidence or reports available in the literature for the oral acute and sub-acute toxicity study for C. heteroclita. To ascertain and establish the safety for its use in traditional practice, acute and sub-acute toxicity studies of the aqueous extract of C. heteroclita was carried out as per OCED guidelines. Materials and Methods: The acute oral toxicity study of aqueous extract of Canscora heteroclita (AECH) was carried out as per the OECD guidelines 423 in mice and the sub-acute toxicity was carried out at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg as per OECD 407 guidelines in male and female rats. In sub-acute toxicity study in rats, AECH at two different daily doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg for 28 days did not cause any significant change including the hematological and biochemical parameters.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion