The objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety of long term consumption of ethanolic fraction of Neurocalyx calycinus leaves (NCEF) in rodents. The NCEF was subjected to detect the presence of various phytoconstituents. In acute oral toxicity study, graded doses of NCEF was administered in mice and were observed up to 14 days. In sub-chronic oral toxicity study, NCEF was administered to Wistar rats at doses of 50, 500 and 1000 mg/kg b.w. per day for 90 days and after that, observed up to 28 days. NCEF showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, phenolics and glycosides. In acute toxicity study, there was no mortality and no behavioural signs of toxicity at the highest dose level (6400 mg/kg b.w.). In sub-chronic oral toxicity study, there were no significant difference observed in the consumption of food and water, body weight and relative organ weights. Haematological, serum biochemical, hepatic oxidative stress marker analysis and urine analysis revealed the non-adverse effects of prolonged oral consumption of NCEF. The histopathologic examination did not show any differences in vital organs. Based on our findings, NCEF, at dosage levels up to 1000 mg/kg b.w., is non-toxic and safe for long term oral consumption.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the acute oral and sub-acute toxicity of ethanolic root extract of Tetracera akara in Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats. Tetracera akara (Burm. f.) Merr. has been used as traditional medicine by the Kani tribe of Kerala to cure liver diseases. In acute toxicity studies, four groups of mice (n = 5/group/sex) were orally treated with doses of 0.625 g, 1.25 g, 2.5 g and 5.0 g/kg and mortality were recorded. In the sub-acute toxicity study, animals received T. akara extract at the doses of 0.1 g, 0.5 g and 2.5 g/kg/day (n = 5/group/sex) for 28 days, biochemical, hematological, morphological and histopathological parameters were determined. T. akara did not produce any mortality in the acute toxicity studies, showing LD50 higher than 5 g/kg. Sub-acute treatment with T. akara didn’t cause any changes in body weight gain, hematological, biochemical profiles when compared to normal control. In addition, no changes in morphological and histopathological aspect of organs were observed in the animals. Taking all factors into consideration, administration of Tetracera akara does not produce acute toxicity in Swiss albino mice or sub-acute toxicity in Wistar rats, suggesting it’s safe use by humans.
Introduction: Pellionia heyneana Wedd. Leaves have long been employed as a traditional remedy by the Cholanaikan tribe of South India to treat various ailments. Methods: Pharmacological and physicochemical evaluation of P. heyneana leaf has been carried out to determine its macro and microscopic characters, and also some of its quantitative characters as per standard procedures. Results: The pharmacognostical evaluation of P. heyneana leavesrevealed the presence of characteristic microscopic features of the crude drug like cystoliths in upper epidermis, helicocytic stomata in lower epidermis, large number of peculiar shaped, huge (200-400 µm) foliar sclereids, absence of palisade tissue in the lamina etc. Powder microscopy showed the presence of calcium oxalate crystals, stone cells, multicellular trichomes, resinous blocks, spiral vessels, xylem fibre, starch grains, simple fibre etc. Conclusions: All the parameters evaluated in the study will aid to identify the authenticity of P. heyneana leaf even from the crushed or powdered form.
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