Acute oral toxicity study of ethanolic extract of Hygrophila auriculata and Hygrophila polysperma leaves using Wistar Albino rats

Abstract

Background: To find out toxicity and fix the safe dose of ethanolic extract of Hygrophila auriculata and Hygrophila polysperma leaves using female Wistar Albino rats. Methods: Acute oral toxicity was assessed in wistar albino rat following organisation for economic co-operation and development guideline 423. The ethanolic extracts were administered orally at doses of 300 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg body weight and animals were observed for 14 days for mortality, behavioural changes, body weight variation and gross pathological alterations. Results: No mortality or significant signs of toxicity were observed in any treatment group. Body weight, food intake and organ morphology remained normal throughout the study period. The extracts were well tolerated at the tested doses. Conclusions: The ethanolic leaf extracts of H. auriculata and H. polysperma were found to be safe up to 2000 mg/kg, indicating low acute toxicity and supporting their further pharmacological evaluation.