Toxicity of Ruta graveolens Seeds’ Extracts on Male Wistar Rats

The multipurpose medicinal plant, Ruta graveolens, used widly as a traditional treatment for many diseases. The present study was carried out on Wistar rats to evaluate the toxicity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. graveolens seeds at two different doses 50 and 200 mg/kg/day orally for 4 weeks. The rats were allotted to five groups, each of six rats. One group served as control. Two groups were given aqueous extract at 50 and 200 mg/kg/day and other two groups were given methanolic extract at 50 and 200 mg/kg/day orally for 4 weeks. The mortality and weight gain, serobiochemical and hematological parameters were recorded in addition to pathological changes. Study showed that, it has a toxic effects reflected in depression on body weight and alterations in some serum parameters which accompanied with fatty changes and beginning of hemorrhage in liver and kidneys, also alterations in globulins and urea concentration in groups 3 and 5 were observed. Animals that received the lowest concentration treatment suffered no significant hematological alteration. From the current experiment we concluded that toxicity from oral administration of 200 mg/kg/day of R. graveolens seeds extracts for 4 weeks was sever as evidenced by consistent extensive damage to liver and kidney exemplified by necrosis, fatty changes, heomorrhage, congestion and depression in growth. No significant changes were observed for all the measured parameters at concentrations 50 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks administered orally. Consumption of R. graveolens seeds extract at 50 mg/kg/day was not toxic and safe for use.