Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies of methanolic leaves extract of Pterospermum acerifolium (L.) Willd in rodents

Pterospermum acerifolium (L.) Willd is one of the most popular medicinal plants in Eastern regions of India, commonly known as Muchkunda. Traditionally the leaves of the plant have been used as Hemostatic and for its wound healing properties, but to date there is no documented evidence corroborating its safety. This study thus aimed to determine the toxicity profile of the methanolic extract of Pterospermum acerifolium (L) Willd (MEPA) by determining its effects after acute and sub-chronic oral administration in female and male rats (Wistar albino). In adult rats, single oral administrations of the MEPA (4–20 g/kg body weight) did not show any mortality upto 20g/kg b.w. p.o. However there were signs of toxicity, namely anorexia and hypoactivity above 12 mg/kg b.w. (p.o.), which was the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL). In rats, daily single oral doses of MEPA (100 mg/kg b.w., 1g/kg b.w. and 2 g/kg b.w.) were well tolerated behaviorally after 28 days of dosing and induced no significant changes in body and organs weights. However, haematological and biochemical parameters showed significant increases in ALT, AST, cholesterol and creatinine levels suggesting disturbances of liver and kidney functions. Histopathological findings also provided conclusive evidence towards hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic potential of the extract at high dose levels. The extract was tolerated well at low dose levels (100 mg/kg b.w. p.o.) after 28 day repeated administration of the extract. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that MEPA is non-toxic and has, at low dose, a low toxicity potential in acute and chronic oral administrations, respectively. However, at high oral doses, repeated administration (28 days) MEPA has significant hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic potential. Key-Words: Acute, sub-acute, toxicological, Pterospermum acerifolium (L.) Willd, MEPA Introduction Medicinal herbs are used for the prevention and treatment of diseases, and have a long history. However, the most commonly used herbal formulae have no indications of quality, safety and efficacy . The plant Pterospermum acerifolium (Common name Muchkunda) is used in traditional medicines for its haemostatic and wound healing properties. Initial pharmacological screening also shows the presence of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antiulcer, wound healing and antipyretic properties . In spite of the popular use of Pterospermum acerifolium in traditional medicine, no systematic evaluation of its toxic effects has been carried out till date as evident from literature review. [8-11] Therefore the aim of the present study was to investigate the acute and subacute toxic effects of a methanolic extract of Pterospermum acerifolium in rodents (Wistar albino rats), thereby evaluating the safety of the plant as used in traditional medicine. * Corresponding Author E-Mail: [email protected] Tel: +91-07415366404 Material and methods Plant material The leaves of Pterospermum acerifolium (L) willd were collected from Asansol, West Bengal, India in September 2010. A herbarium sheet was prepared and it was identified and authenticated by the Botanical survey of India, Howrah, and West Bengal, India. The leaves were dried in shade to avoid the deterioration of phytoconstituents and made into a coarse powder by using a grinder. Herbarium sheet was submitted to Shibpur Botanical Garden, Botanical survey of India, Howrah, West Bengal , India, under specimen number CNH/I-I/(289)/2008/Tech.II/331 for authentication. The specimen has been identified and authenticated as Pterospermum acerifolium (L) willd. Preparation of extract The air dried crushed leaves (1000g) were soaked for 12 hr in Methanol (3L) at room temperature. The residue was extracted with hot Methanol under reflux 3 times (each 1500 ml) after vacuum filtration. All solvent was evaporated under vacuum and extract was then lyophilized, to yield approximately 12% w/w/) of Research Article [Nandy & Datta, 3(3): Mar., 2012]