Toxicological evaluation of the dried hydroethanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus L. roots in Artemia salina larvae and Sprague Dawley rats

Abstract Background Amaranthus spinosus is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases including diabetes and its complications. The aim of this study was prove the safety animal health. Methods dry extract obtained following hydroethanolic extraction A. roots. cytotoxicity evaluated vitro by incubating Artemia salina larvae with for 24 h. In vivo toxicity assessed Sprague Dawley rats. A single dose 5000 mg/kg bw administered orally female rats acute observed 14 days mortality signs toxicity. subchronic toxicity, doses 500 1000 were male 28 consecutive previous signs. Body weight recorded daily blood glucose levels every week. On day 29, collected biochemical hematological studies. Organs then exised gross autopsy histopathological examination. Results showed that had LC 50 = 1.178 mg/mL considered be non-cytotoxic. Oral administration at did not cause any or sign necropsy. oral repeated extract, also significant change body weight, relative vital organs. Furthermore, parameters examination show change. decrease correlate organ damage supports plant. However, reduction LDL-cholesterol has shown can prevent cardiovascular disease. Conclusions This finding demonstrated root non-toxic LD > bw. Thus, cutaneous ≤ further studies such as embryo/fetotoxicity, genotoxicity neurotoxicity will needed chronic patients fetuses.