Assessment of Toxicity and Beneficiary Effects of Garcinia pedunculata on the Hematological, Biochemical, and Histological Homeostasis in Rats.

Sudip Paul,Nikhil Chandra Bhoumik,E M Tanvir,Nur-E-Noushin Rumpa,Md Sakib Hossen,Md Ibrahim Khalil,Siew Hua Gan,Md Yousuf Ali,Moumoni Saha

doi:10.1155/2017/4686104

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the toxicological profile of a methanolic extract of Garcinia pedunculata fruit in rats by conducting hematological, biochemical, and histopathological examinations. Long Evans rats were divided into four groups, each with 6 animals, and were treated with three oral doses (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) once daily for 21 days. The extract did not cause significant changes in body and relative organ weight, percent water content, or hematological parameters at any administered doses. However, a significant dose-dependent positive effect in serum lipid profile and all atherogenic indices including the cardiac risk ratio, Castelli's risk index-2, and the atherogenic coefficient were observed. Significant increases in the levels of iron and decreases in serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities and the levels of serum glucose were noted when the extract was administered at the highest dose (1000 mg/kg). Histopathological examination of the target tissues further confirmed that the extract was safe and had no observed toxicological features. Our study indicates that G. pedunculata fruit is nontoxic, has the potential to be effective against atherosclerosis, and may be used as a hepatoprotectant. The fruit extract is also beneficial to those with iron deficiency and hyperglycemia.

Highlights

Garcinia pedunculata (G. pedunculata) is a medicinal indigenous plant belonging to the Clusiaceae family
This study is the first to show that G. pedunculata extract has the potential to cause significant increases in the levels of iron and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol while decreasing the serum activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, and the serum glucose level when administered at a high dose (1000 mg/kg)
Our study indicated that the administration of G. pedunculata fruit causes no abnormal changes in any of Values are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (SD) (n = 6). ∗ denotes a significant difference when compared to the control group

Summary

Introduction

Garcinia pedunculata (G. pedunculata) is a medicinal indigenous plant belonging to the Clusiaceae family. The mature G. pedunculata fruit is greenish yellow and is consumed as a vegetable; it is used as an ingredient in cooking different types of meat and chicken [2]. This fruit extract is reported to possess a variety of pharmacological benefits including antioxidant [3, 4], antimicrobial [5], anti-inflammatory [6], hepatoprotective [1], and cardioprotective properties [7]. It is presumed that these chemical compounds and other phytochemicals, as well as polyphenols, present in G. pedunculata may contribute to the beneficial pharmacological effects. The aim of this study is to assess the possible toxic effects of a methanolic extract of G. pedunculata in a rat model using biochemical, hematological, and histopathological parameters

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Conclusion