Acute oral toxicity study of “Polyherbal formulation (Rosmarinus officinals, Ashwaghandha and Amla) in Wistar rats”

Abstract

Today in this present globe many part of the continents the use of herbal medicinal products and supplements has increased tremendously over the past three decades with not less than 80% of people worldwide trusting on them for some part of primary healthcare. The study was focused to evaluate the acute oral toxicity of polyherbal formulations (PHFs) and the developed polyherbal formulation includes three herbs viz. the roots of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), leaves of R. officinalis (Rosemary) and fruit of Emblica officinalis (Amla) detect the effect of this polyherbal formulation on higher mammals. The raw materials were standardized according to the WHO guidelines and the three holistic extracts were mixed in 1:1:1 ratio for further study by bio-guided method and also in combination to control and curing or managing of different diseases. However, to confirm the drug’s safety and efficacy in the appropriate dosages we used healthy nulliparous and non-pregnant female Wister Albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) with average body weight of 160 g - 180 g and age between 8–12 weeks were used throught the experiments in the present study administered a single dose of 2000mg/kg of body weight by oral gavage in female Wistar rats the observation period of 14 days. The rats were maintained under standard laboratory conditions (room temperature of 22.1 to 24.6°C with optimal air cycle changes 12-15 per hour and relative humidity of 48-61 % with 12 hours light & dark cycle). The animals were fed with laboratory animal feed and UV sterilized drinking water was provided ad-libitum throughout the experimental period. Hence the present study is designed to test the acute (limit dose) toxicity of two herbal extracts of rosemary leaf and ashwagandha and amla root in Wister rats following the OECD guidelines 423, which would help in suggesting the minimum safety level of herbal extracts.