Assessment of Oral Acute Toxicity of Thai Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq. Leaf Extracts in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Southeast Asian nations, particularly Thailand, have long employed the leaf portions of Dendrophthoe pentandra as traditional medicines. However, there is no report on their safety assessment. This study sought to determine the acute toxicity of Dendrophthoe pentandra leaf extracts in male and female Wistar rats. The OECD 420 guidelines were followed in performing the acute toxicity investigation. The extracts were given orally to male and female Wistar rats once at doses of 5, 50, 300, and 2,000 mg/kg. Within 24 hr of dosing and up to 14 days following the tests, the acute toxicity symptoms and mortality rates were recorded. The body weights were measured in week 0, 1 and 2. At the end of the experiments, internal organ weights were recorded. Additionally, the blood biochemistry, liver and kidney histology, and hematological parameters were investigated. Body weight and relative organ weight were unaffected by any of the extract doses. All of the treatments cause the rats to gain weight. Rats given the extracts orally showed no changes in hematological parameters. All experimental groups' rat lipid profiles were comparable. Rats in all experimental groups had similar blood biochemical values. Additionally, liver and kidney tissues did not contain any signs of inflammation. There was no difference in the histology of liver and kidney in rats treated with the extracts. The results showed that Dendrophthoe pentandra leaf extracts were at the dose studied. It was advised to consume Dendrophthoe pentandra leaf extracts at dose of more than 2,000 mg/kg.