Acute toxicity assessment of methanolic extract of Zingiber roseum (Roscoe.) rhizome in swiss albino mice

Abstract

IntroductionThe rhizomes of Zingiber roseum plant have been used in traditional medicine to treat several ailments. Regardless of worth, no research has accounted its toxicity potential. So, the study was designed to determine safety and toxicity potential of Zingiber roseum rhizomes (ZRR) in acute oral toxicity model in swiss albino mice. MethodsAcute oral toxicity was assessed as per the guidelines of ‘The Brazilian Agency of National Health Surveillance'. In an acute toxicity investigation, 300 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg, and 1200 mg/kg of ZRR extract was orally administered to mice. Thereafter, the animals were monitored for 14 days. To analyze any potential toxicity, general behavior of animals, clinical symptoms of poisoning, body weight, biochemical and hematological marker, and liver histology was carried out. ResultsOral dosing of 300, 600, and 1200 mg/kg of crude extract did not produce mortality or any adverse effect in the laboratory animals. The control and treatment groups of mice exhibited similar behavioral characteristics, neurological signs and total body weight during the treatment period of 14 days. The markers of liver damage i.e., ALT and AST, total serum protein, and albumin did not show any significant change between extract-treated and control mice. The extracts also significantly suppressed ALP activity as compared to control. Kidney function was assessed in mice by measuring creatinine and urea level and no change was observed in level of creatinine and urea in experimental animals. Moreover, no alterations were observed in hematological markers and lipid profile (triglyceride and total cholesterol level). In addition, the liver showed normal architecture and no significant adverse consequences on histopathology analysis. Discussion & conclusionThese outcomes propose that LD50 of rhizomes of Z. roseum is higher than 1200 mg/kg b.w. and might be possibly safe for consumption.