Acute toxicity testing of a mixture of ethanol extracts of ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), and habbatussauda seeds (Nigella sativa L.) on the anatomy of mice

Abstract

Immunostimulators are a collection of certain substances that are used to improve the immune system, especially when the body is sick. The use of herbs as immunostimulators is an option because it has been proven to be relatively safer if consumed correctly and appropriately. Four types of plants that are thought to have benefits as immunostimulators and have been used by some Indonesian people for generations are ginger, lemongrass, turmeric and habbatussauda. This study aims to determine the toxicity effects of a mixture of ethanol extracts based on observations of toxic symptoms, anatomical changes in mice (Mus musculus L.) and determine the level of toxicity through calculating the LD50. This research was experimental using 30 male mice divided into 6 treatments and 5 replications. Treatment consisted of control, mixed extracts of ginger, lemongrass, turmeric and black seed at doses of 1000 mg/kgBB, 2000 mg/kgBB, 3000 mg/kgBB, 4000 mg/kgBB and 5000 mg/kgBB given orally. The results showed that the ethanol extract of a mixture of ginger, lemongrass, turmeric and black seed had no significant effect on the average weight of the lungs, liver, heart and spleen. But it has a significant effect on the average weight of the kidney. The results of this study also showed changes in the mice’s body weight after 14 days of administration of the extract which tended to increase. The results of the research showed that no deaths occurred in the test animals so it was declared with a pseudo LD50 and was included in the practically non-toxic category so that the mixture of ginger, lemongrass, turmeric and black cumin was safe to use.