In vivo assessment of acute and subacute toxicity of ethyl acetate extract from aerial parts of Geum urbanum L

Abstract

Geum urbanum L. is a medicinal plant used from ancient time against gastro-intestinal disorders, bleeding and inflammation of mucous membranes, gums (gingivitis), etc. In our previous works, we demonstrated the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of the EtOAc fraction from aerial parts to provoke acute and subacute toxicity by its internal daily administration (per os) in healthy H- albino male and female mice. We used three concentrations of treatment according to their biological activity potential of application − 20, 70 and 210 mg/kg. All animals were observed and recorded periodically for clinical signs, mortality and changes in their behavior (incl. hypo-activity, aggression, etc.). The body weight was measured at every 5 days up to the end of the experiment (a total 28 days). We studied the biochemical parameters (superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation and damaged proteins in blood plasma and brain) and complete hematological parameters, and the histopathological findings in mouse spleens and Payer’s patches. The investigated extract did not show any signs of significant acute and subacute toxicity at the highest applied test-concentration, and therefore, we encouraged its possible application as food additive for various infectious diseases.