Abstract

TOXICITY STUDIES OF ETHANOL EXTRACT FROM IXORA PAVETTA ANDREWS LEAF

Sumanta Mondal*, Marouthu.I.P.Pushyami and P. Suresh

ABSTRACT

The pharmacological effects of many plants have been studied in various laboratories, whereas there are many limitations regarding the safety and efficacy. The present study was carried out to evaluated acute and subacute toxicity of ethanol extract from Ixora pavetta Andrews leaf (family Rubiaceae). Acute toxicity study was evaluated on male Swiss albino mice (20-25g) and Wistar albino rats (150-200g) were assigned for sub-acute toxicity, after ingestions of the extract during one day (acute model) and during 14 days (subacute model). The acute toxicity studies were conducted as per the OECD guidelines 423, where the limit test dose of 3000 mg/kg, p.o., used. Results showed that the LD50 of the extract is higher than 3000 mg/kg, p.o., and there was no mortality was observed at 3000 mg/kg, p.o., dose except with prominent diuresis and purgation, these toxic sign are probably due to the saponins content of the extract; so, testing at higher dose mayn’t be necessary and the extract was said to be practically non-toxic. In sub-acute toxicity study, the extract treated groups (300 and 600 mg/kg, p.o.) did not show any significant changes in body weight when compared to the control group. The weight of the liver, kidney and pancreas were found to be unaltered in the experimental groups compared with the control group. The haematological and biochemical parameters (hepatic and renal function tests) did not show any significant changes in the sample treated groups when compared with the control group animals.

Keywords: Ixora pavetta Andrews, Swiss albino mice, Wistar albino rats, Acute and subacute toxicity study.