Sub-chronic Toxicological Investigation of Gmelina Arborea (Verbenaceae) in Healthy Wistar Rats

Abstract

The study was designed to determine the acute and sub- chronic toxic effects of aqueous extract of Gmelina arborea (Roxb.) in healthy male Wistar rats. An aqueous bark extract of G. arborea was administered at graded doses (0.25-2.00 g/kg) to Wistar rats in the acute toxicity test. Sub-chronic toxicity was evaluated by daily administration of the extract at 1.00 g/kg to Wistar rats for 30 days. All animals were physically active and no death was observed up to the dose of 2.00 g/kg in the acute toxicity study. The hematological parameters, serum concentration of liver enzymes and relative organ weight did not differ significantly in treated rats as compared to untreated healthy rats (P > 0.05). The histopathological study revealed no treatment-related gross cellular changes in vital organs in treated rats. The administration of the bark extract of G. arborea (1.00 g/kg) was found to be toxicologically safe in Wistar rats.