Acute and Subacute Toxicity Profiles of the Methanol Extract of Lycopersicon esculentum L. Leaves (Tomato), a Botanical with Promising In Vitro Anticancer Potential

Abstract

Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) is a plant widely used in Africa like food and to solve many health problems. The methanol crude extract of tomato recently demonstrated a good antiproliferative effect on many human cancer cell lines. The aim of this research was to evaluate the acute toxicity and subacute oral toxicity of methanolic extract from leaves of this plant. These toxicities were evaluated based on the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) guidelines. The assay of acute toxicity was performed using a total of 3 female rats, which received a single dose of 5000 mg/kg of methanolic extract via oral gavage. For the subacute toxicity study, 32 Wistar rats (males and females) were used. The groups were treated with three different doses of Lycopersicon esculentum methanolic extract (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg b.w.) for 28 days and the control group received distilled water. The hematological, biochemical, and histopathological studies were performed after the sacrifice. Single dose of tomato extract caused no toxicity up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight; hence, the median lethal dose (DL50) of leaves of this plant was greater than this value. However, lower toxic effects could be manifested in the long-term treatment at the highest dose (1000 mg/kg) because urea level and total serum proteins significantly increased at a dose of 1000 mg/kg with respect to control. The microscopic observation showed no remarkable pathological changes on all organs in the treated groups compared with the control groups of female and male rats. These results demonstrate that single dose of tomato extract leaves is relatively nontoxic at a dose of 5000 mg/kg b.w. and prolonged use of lower doses (250 and 500 mg/kg) of L. esculentum orally should be encouraged, whereas highest dose (1000 mg/kg) should be avoided.

In Vivo Antiplasmodial Activity and Toxicological Analyses of the Ethanolic Leaf and Twig Extract of Faurea speciosa Welw. (Proteaceae)

“…Notwithstanding their limitations, high serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and low urine output are currently used in diagnosis of acute renal injury [ 40 ]. Urea is the metabolic product of protein catabolism, and increase in serum urea might hamper the kidney function if it is not controlled accordingly [ 41 ]. In this present study, there was no significant difference in the level of serum creatinine in the extract-treated group compared to that of the control group.…”

Toxicity profiling and antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate extract of leaves of Premna integrifolia L. for its application as protective agent against xenobiotics

“…Mice of the Group II to V were administered by different doses of the EAEPI (400, 600, 800 and 1000 mg/kg b.wt.) by gavage daily for 28 days [ 31 ]. Animals were observed daily for any adverse effect or toxic signs and behavioral changes, mortality and morbidity till the completion of the experiment.…”

Acute toxicity and anti-hyperglycemic activities of pomelo (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck) peel extracts in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

“…100% of death was observed in mice administered with flavedo PPE, whereas mice treated with albedo PPE did not appear any signs of toxicity at the end of the studied period (14 days). This indicated the non-toxicity of albedo PPE which was a safe extract for anti-hyperglycemia and the median lethal dose was expected to be higher than 5000 mg/kg (Iserhienrhien & Okolie, 2020;Nguenang et al, 2020).…”