Abstract
Objectives: The phytochemicals in Moringa oleifera barks were qualitatively identified in the aqueous and ethanol extracts. The acute oral toxicity of Moringa oleifera aqueous and ethanol extracts were done as per OECD guidelines 423. Methods: The barks were harvested during dry season and air-dried. Extractions using ethanol and water were done. The harvested phytochemicals were qualitatively identified using standard chemicals procedures. Acute toxicity was done on 3 male and 3 female Wistar rats which were administered an initial dose of 300 mg/kg body weight followed by 2000 mg/kg & 5000 mg/kg body weight. The animals were observed for signs of convulsions, tremors, circling, depression, excitement and mortality. Body weight was recorded at 0,7th and 14thday and plasma total protein, blood sugar level, total cholesterol, SGOT & SGPT were measured to evaluate the toxicity of the extracts. Results: The phytochemicals identified were steroids and triterponoids, saponins, alkaloids, and carbohydrates. No abnormal sign of symptoms were observed in any of the animal fed with aqueous and ethanol extracts at the dose rate of 300 mg/kg body weight, 2000 mg/kg body weight & 5000 mg/kg body weight. No mortality was observed in any of the animals. Conclusion: M. oleifera barks, ethanol and aqueous extracts contain steroids and triterpenoids, saponins, alkaloids and carbohydrates. The administration of M. oleifera ethanolic and water extracts are safest & has no adverse effect on growth related and biochemical parameters indicating its safety.
Highlights
Moringa oleifera is the most widely cultivated species of a monogeneric family, the Moringaceae that is native to the sub-Himalayan tracts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan[1,2]
Chemicals in this study were used from Vidyabharti Trust College of Pharmacy, Umrakh. 2.4 Establishing Lethal dose 50 (LD50) :The ethanol and water extracts were administered orally following Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD 423) guidelines to 3 Wistar male rats and 3 female rats using limit dose in three steps while distilled water was given to the other group of rats as a control[15]
The greatest response for that of water was in carbohydrates and alkaloids. 3.3 Lethal dose 50 (LD50): All the animals were carefully observed for development of any toxic signs or symptoms at different time intervals of 0, 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 hrs and daily for period of 14 days
Summary
Moringa oleifera is the most widely cultivated species of a monogeneric family, the Moringaceae that is native to the sub-Himalayan tracts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan[1,2]. This rapidly-growing tree ( known as the horseradish tree, drumstick tree, benzolive tree, kelor, marango, mlonge, moonga, mulangay, saijhan, sajna or Ben oil tree), was utilized by the ancient Romans, Greeks and Egyptians; it is widely cultivated and has become naturalized in many locations in the tropics. They are active in reducing high blood pressure[12, 13]
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