Sub Acute Toxicity Evaluation of Ethyl Acetate Extracts of Terminalia arjuna (Combretaceae) with Special Reference to Hematological & Biological Parameters

Abstract

AIM- The aim of the present investigation is to study the Sub acute toxicity study of ethyl acetate extract in male and female rats. MATERIAL & METHODS- The leaves and bark were collected from outfield and also purchased from local markets during the month of July that shows the green color with rough surface. For the extraction, successive solvent extraction methodology was adopted by different solvents as per the polarity index. Subacute oral toxicity studies were conducted by following OECD guidelines- 407 (OECD guidelines, 2001) to evaluate the safety of ethyl acetate extracts. The rats were divided into 7 groups of 10 rats (5 males and 5 females) where group I served as control group and received distilled water only. Groups received ethyl acetate extracts (Low dose-150 mg/kg), Intermediate dose-450 mg/kg, High dose- 1350 mg/kg respectively daily for 28 days. The intermediate dose of most efficacious extract of both the plants were chosen and 1/3rd dose of same was given as low dose and 3 times its dose was given as high dose. It was calculated and given in divided doses in a day. Maximum oral volume fed was not >10 ml/kg. On 28th day after completion of treatment, rats were kept for overnight fasting. Next day, blood was collected from retro-orbital plexus into heparinized and non- heparinized centrifuge tubes for the estimation of haematological and biochemical (glucose, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) parameters respectively. RESULTS- The study on selected plant material, shows, that the difference of two consecutive weighing after drying for 30min. and cooling for 30min. in a desiccators- 0.09 & 0.23 gm for leaves and bark. The Experimental results on selected plant material shows – volume occupied by 1 gm of plant material= 1.62, 1.45 ml for leaves and bark. Any unusual behavioral changes, disturbance in locomotors activity, any untoward clinical signs, sign of intoxication and mortality were not observed at the dose levels tested in sub-acute toxicity test. Moreover, the nature of stool, urine and eye color of all the animals did not changed. Other adverse clinical manifestations were not seen in the experimental animals during the dosing period. CONCLUSION- The sub acute toxicity study did not show any treatment related mortality and adverse effects at 150, 450 and 1350mg/kg p.o. dose administration of extract.