Oroxylum indicum extract does not induce hepatotoxicity in mice

Abstract

While natural products exhibit several beneficial health effects, they can induce unintended hepatotoxicity. Oroxylum indicum extract (OIE, Sabroxy®) has several health benefits such as anti‐inflammatory, diuretic, astringent, expectorant, anti‐arthritic, antipyretic, aphrodisiac antifungal, antibacterial and neuroprotective effects. However, it is unknown whether OIE induces hepatotoxicity. We sought to determine whether OIE administration in mice results in altered levels of serum biomarkers of hepatotoxicity and changes in liver histology. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with powdered rodent food or powdered rodent food mixed with OIE (500mg/kg) daily for 4 weeks. After the treatment period, liver histology and serum biomarkers of hepatotoxicity were assessed. OIE did not affect the total body weight of the mice after 4 weeks of treatment period. OIE treatment did not alter the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, albumin, globulin and total protein. Similarly, OIE treatment did not result in a noticeable change in the liver histology. Taken together, these results suggest that OIE, at maximum concentration used for beneficial effects, may not induce hepatotoxicity in mice. However, dose‐dependent and time‐dependent future studies are warranted to confirm that OIE does not induce hepatotoxicity.Support or Funding InformationOIE (Sabroxy®) was provided by Sabinsa Corporation. This project was supported by Sabinsa Corporation, Animal Health and Disease Research Grant and Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer Grant.