Biochemical and Histopathological Effects on Liver Profile due to Acute and Subacute Oral Toxicity of Somina on Rats

Abstract

Background: Limited research studies are reported regarding the toxicological effect of different herbal medicine already used in different countries.
 Objective: This research study was planned to examine the changes in liver (biochemical and histological) associated with oral administration of somina (acute and sub-acute) in rats.
 Methodology: Group– I served as control (saline), while other groups (II, III) were daily treated with somina at different doses of 0.285g/kg (group – II), 10g/kg/day (group – III), for 14 (set I), 21 (set II), and 30 (set III) consecutive days. Each group contains 12 rats. During the study period, signs and behavioral changes, mortality, were observed. At the end of study period, blood sample was drawn directly from heart, for the estimation of liver enzymes: Bilirubin (BIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum glutamic pyruvic transferase (SGPT), aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT), Albumin (ALB) and total protein (TP). The liver was carefully dichotomized, weighed, and further processed for histopathological analysis.
 Results: Herbal drug somina was claimed to be practically non-toxic as in rats no mortality was recorded after the oral administration of somina (14, 21 and 30 consecutive days). Liver profile showed non-significant changes in treated group- II and III (P > 0.05), as compared to the control (group- I). The histopathological examination did not reveal any deteriorative effect.
 Conclusion: It was concluded that oral administration of somina did not produce any significant detrimental effects on rat liver (biochemical and histopathological parameters), even at doses of 10g/kg/day indicating its safe use.