Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of Dracaena cinnabari resin methanol extract in rats

Abstract

BackgroundDracaena cinnabari (DC) is a perennial tree that located on the Southern coast of Yemen native to the Socotra Island. This tree produces a deep red resin known as the Dragon’s blood, the Twobrother’s Blood or Damm Alakhwain. The current study performed to evaluate the safety of the DC resin methanol extract after a single or 28 consecutive daily oral administrations.MethodsIn assessing the safety of DC resin methanol extract, acute and sub-acute oral toxicity tests performed following OECD guidelines 423 and 407, respectively, with slight modifications. In acute oral toxicity test, DC resin methanol extract administered to female Sprague Dawley rats by oral gavage at a single dose of 300 and 2000 mg/kg body weight. Rats observed for toxic signs for 14 days. In sub-acute oral toxicity test, DC resin methanol extract administered to the rats by oral gavage at 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg body weight daily up to 28 days to male and female Spradgue Dawley rats. The control and high dose in satellite groups were also maintained and handled as the previous groups to determine the late onset toxicity of DC resin methanol extract. At the end of each test, hematological and biochemical analysis of the collected blood were performed as well as gross and microscopic pathology.ResultsIn acute oral toxicity, no treatment-related death or toxic signs were observed. It revealed that the DC resin methanol extract could be well tolerated up to the dose 2000 mg/kg body weight and could be classified as Category 5. The sub-acute test observations indicated that there are no treatment-related changes up to the high dose level compared to the control. Food consumption, body weight, organ weight, hematological parameters, biochemical parameters and histopathological examination (liver, kidney, heart, spleen and lung) revealed no abnormalities. Water intake was significantly higher in the DC resin methanol extract treated groups compared to the control.ConclusionThis study demonstrates tolerability of DC resin methanol extract administered daily for 28 days up to 1500 mg/kg dose.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-018-2110-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Coffee Silverskin Extract: Nutritional Value, Safety and Effect on Key Biological Functions

“…Furthermore, the histopathology examination showed no histopathological lesions in the liver, kidneys or heart after treatment with CSE. The assessment of histopathological alterations in organs is considered a basic test in the safety assessment of tested materials [48]. These results reinforce the findings of the absence of toxicity after treatment with 1 g/kg b.w.…”

“…for 28 days. On the other hand, damage or destruction of blood cells negatively affects the normal functioning of the body in both humans and animals [48]. The analysis of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets showed the absence of alterations in these parameters after treatment with CSE as well.…”

Oral toxicity of arjunolic acid on hematological, biochemical and histopathological investigations in female Sprague Dawley rats

“…Estimation of therapeutic window is also an important parameter that provides benefit to risk assessment of the drug/compound, animal model is one of the approach to unveil this aspect (Al-Afifi et al, 2018). Normal food and water intake throw light on the normal metabolic processes, as observed in the treated animals (Table 4).…”

“…Result of hematological analysis revealed that AA might have normal role in the production and development process of blood cells, as the data shows non-significant alterations in the treatment vs control group (Table 5). Hematological parameters point out minor and major alterations in the functioning of different organs (Al-Afifi et al, 2018). Moreover, our finding is supported by the previous researchers (Petterino & Argentino-Storino, 2006; Said & Abiola, 2014).…”

Peer Review #1 of "Oral toxicity of arjunolic acid on hematological, biochemical and histopathological investigations in female Sprague Dawley rats (v0.1)"

“…Estimation of therapeutic window is also an important parameter that provides benefit to risk assessment of the drug/compound, animal model is one of the approach to unveil this aspect (Al-Afifi et al 2018). Normal food and water intake throw light on the normal metabolic processes, as observed in the treated animals ( Table 4) Manuscript to be reviewed understanding of any signs of toxicity, as hematological system is very sensitive against the effects of any toxin entering living system and have higher diagnostic value for signs of intoxication (Olson et al 2000).…”