Abstract

ISOLATION AND ACUTE ORAL TOXICITY STUDIES OF ARAUCARIA HETEROPHYLLA NOVEL NATURAL POLYSACCHARIDE GUM IN ALBINO MICE

Hema Naga Durga Divvela*, Lohithasu Duppala and Venkata Ramana Murthy Kolapalli

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of present study is intended to isolate and find out the LD50 for evaluate the safety of isolated Araucaria heterophylla natural polysaccharide gum by acute oral toxicity study in healthy albino mice of either sex as per organization for economic co-operative and development (OECD) guidelines No. 425. Methods: Albino mice were fasted over night, the fasted body weight of each animal was determined and dose was calculated according to the body weight. Animals weighing 160–200 g was randomly divided into 7 groups comprising of five animals each. The control group received normal saline (10mL/kg per oral) and other groups received 100, 200, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg of AHG dispersion in distilled water. The animals were observed continuously for the behavioural changes for first 30 min after dosing and observed periodically (with special attention given during the first 4 hrs) for the 24 hrs and then daily thereafter, followed for 14 days. Conclusion: The LD50 value of isolated Araucaria heterophylla natural polysaccharide gum was found to be more than 2000 mg/kg body weight.

Keywords: Acute oral toxicity, LD50, Araucaria heterophylla gum (AHG), and OECD guideline 425.