Investigating the toxicity of the leaf extracts of lotus

Abstract

Lotus croniculatus belongs to Fabaceae family and grows in the temperate regions and grasslands of the countries of Africa and America. The plant is commonly known as common bird’s foot tree foil. The plant is a herb and appears to be clover plant. The flowers of the plant are used mainly to induce sleep and other effects that regard to brain and heart. The plant is used to reduce spasms in the digestive tract. The infusions that are diluted to certain extent are helpful to reduce the anxiety and insomnia and also to treat exhaustion. Inspite of the possession of lot of pharmacological activities, the plant is to be studied in a detailed manner for the toxicity also. Medicinal plants are known to cause low adverse effects and high potency. In the present investigation, the acute and chronic toxicity levels of the plant Lotus croniculatus extract of leaves was studied in laboratory animals. It is indicated that the animals did not show any change in behavior in acute toxicity and no mortality too. The extract also showed no signs of toxicity and change of values in the blood cells, liver enzymes and also kidney function tests were also normal at the dose of 2g/kg which denotes the safety of the plant in rats.