Abstract
Background: Holarrhena pubescens Wall. ex G. Don belongs to the family Apocynaceae and has several therapeutic applications in traditional medicine. This plant has various pharmacological properties such as antihelmintic, antidiuretic and antidiabetic. One of the major concerns, as they are used, is the lack of adequate pharmacological and toxicological data to support their uses. Objective: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the safety of an ethanolic extract of Holarrhena pubescens Wall.ex.G.Don (Apocynaceae) by determining its potential toxicity after oral administration for 28 days. Methods: In sub-acute toxicity, the extract at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg, bw was administered orally for 28 days. After 28 days of treatment, the mice were decapitated; brain was homogenized for evaluating oxidative stress. The brain was fixed in 10 % formalin and processed for histopathological examinations. Phytochemical analysis of the plant extract was performed by (GC-MS). Result: In the sub-acute study in mice, daily oral administration of HP resulted in a significant increase in the lipid peroxidation of treated animals and a decrease in enzymes activity of CAT, SOD, GPX and GR in both, males and females mice. Histopathological analysis showed alterations in the mice brain cortex. From the GC-MS analysis of the plant extract, it was evident that major phytochemicals were present in the ethanol extract of HP. Some major phytochemicals namely, conessimine (17.81 %); lup-20(29)-en-3-one (16.50%); piperidine, 2-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-(6.44%); lup-20(29)-ene-3, 28-diol, (3.beta.) (4.82%) and 17- (1, 5-dimethyl-3-phenylsulfanyl-hex-4-enyl (4.37%) were found. Conclusion: H.pubsecne bark ethanol extract was found to be relatively safe in lower doses although at higher doses it can cause lipid peroxidation and damage to the neuronal cell of the brain and should therefore be used with caution.
Highlights
Herbal medicines play a major role in health care systems worldwide
Result: In the sub-acute study in mice, daily oral administration of HP resulted in a significant increase in the lipid peroxidation of treated animals and a decrease in enzymes activity of Catalase activity assay (CAT), Superoxide dismutase activity assay (SOD), GPX and Glutathione reductase activity assay (GR) in both, males and females mice
GC-MS chromatogram analysis of the ethanolic extract of HP (Figure 1) showed 43 peaks which indicating the presence of 43 phytochemical constituents
Summary
Herbal medicines play a major role in health care systems worldwide. The plant-derived medicinal products have been used in modern medicinal products through the use of plant material as indigenous knowledge or as a traditional health care syste 1. Herbal medicine use increased globally for a public health problem and discover new product and their safety recognized. Some of this medicine are untested these are not monitored, the lack of knowledge on the possible toxic effect of traditional medicinal plants to the consumers[2]. Don belongs to the family Apocynaceae and has several therapeutic applications in traditional medicine This plant has various pharmacological properties such as antihelmintic, antidiuretic and antidiabetic. Objective: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the safety of an ethanolic extract of Holarrhena pubescens Wall.ex.G.Don (Apocynaceae) by determining its potential toxicity after oral administration for 28 days.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
