People worldwide have used Dioscorea hispida Dennst to treat various skin diseases. However, Dioscorea hispida tubers are known to be poisonous because they contain cyanide and dioscorine. This research aimed to standardise Dioscorea hispida dried powder and examine tuber extract toxicity effects (acute and subchronic). This research was carried out with sample standardisation according to the Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia II. The Regulations of the Republic of Indonesia Food and Drug Supervisory Agency carried out acute and subchronic toxicity studies. Wistar rats were administered different doses of the extract, and observations were made for toxic symptoms, body weight changes, mortality, relative organ weights, and histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues. Serum creatinine, ALT, and AST levels were also measured. Dioscorea hispida tubers from North Sumatra and Lampung met the quality standards, whereas those from West Java did not due to high mold/yeast counts. Acute toxicity studies indicated that doses of 300 mg/kg BW and 1000 mg/kg BW caused toxic symptoms and death, classifying the extract as toxic with an LD50 range of 50-500 mg/kg BW. No toxic symptoms were observed at 50 mg/kg BW. Subchronic studies revealed that elevated doses led to significant liver and kidney damage, evidenced by increased creatinine, ALT, AST levels, and histopathological changes. Dioscorea hispida tubers from North Sumatra and Lampung meet quality standards, but those from West Java do not. The tubers have medicinal potential but exhibit high toxicity at elevated doses, necessitating cautious use and further research to ensure safe application and reduce contaminants.
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