Toxicological Evaluation of Methanolic Extract of Vetiveria Zizanioides Roots in Male and Female

Abstract

Vetiveria zizanioides roots were used from tradition in the treatment of various types of liver disorder. The objective of present study was to evaluate the oral acute and sub-acute toxicity (28 days) of the methanolic extract of Vetiveria zizanioides roots (MEVZ) in Wistar albino rats of both sexes. In the acute toxicity study, Wistar rats were treated orally with a single dose of 5 g/kg of body weight, and were observed for 14 days. Animals were monitored continuously for the first 4 h, for every 6 h for the next 24 h, upto 14 days. In the sub-acute toxicity study, MEVZ was administered orally at doses of 175, 550 and 1750 mg/kg daily for 28 days to Wistar albino rats. Treatment with MEVZ did not produce any toxic signs or deaths. Treatment with MEVZ did not alter either the body weight gain or the food and water consumption. The hematological and biochemical parameters did not show any significant differences in any of the parameters examined in both gender groups. Organ weight, necropsy and histopathological examination, did not reveal any remarkable treatment related changes. A no-observed adverse-effect level for MEVZ is 5 g/kg for rats in our study. Consumption of MEVZ for various medicinal purposes is safe.