Abstract:
Asteracantha longifolia, Asparagus falcatus, Vetiveria
zizanioides, Coriandrum sativum and Epaltes divaricate have proven
hepatoprotective and antioxidative effects against carbon tetrachloride and
paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in mice and are widely used in Sri Lanka
for the treatment of liver disorders. However, toxicological information
regarding their safety after exposure to experimental animals or humans is
not available. The present study was designed to evaluate repeated dose
toxicity of the five aqueous extracts mentioned above. Healthy, ICR mice
were treated with 0.9g/kg (orally) of aqueous extracts daily, for a period of
30 days. Animals were observed for effects on body weight, food
consumption, external appearance and mortality. Biochemical,
haematological and histopathological parameters were estimated in all
groups at the end of 30 days. Aqueous extracts tested didn’t produce
mortality, changes in behaviour, difference in body weight, feeding habits or
any other physiological activities in mice, at the dose administered.
Biochemical or haematological analysis showed no marked differences in
any of the parameters examined in either the control group or in the plant
extract treated groups. No evidence of histopathological lesions was
observed in any of the organs tested. The aqueous extracts of all five plant
extracts at a dosage of 0.9g /kg were free from any toxic effects when
administered for a period of 30 days to ICR mice.
