Acute and sub-acute toxicity study of Clerodendrum inerme, Jasminum mesnyi Hance and Callistemon citrinus

Abstract

Objective: To study acute and sub-acute toxicity study of Clerodendrum inerme (C. inerme), Jasminum mesnyi (J. mesnyi) Hance and Callistemon citrinus (C. citrinus). Methods: The acute toxicity test was conducted in Swiss albino mice. The extracts of C. inerme, J. mesnyi Hance and C. citrinus was administered in single dose of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 g/kg and observed for behavioral changes and mortality, if any. In sub-acute toxicity study, Wistar rats of either sex were administered 1/5th of the maximum tolerated dose, p.o. for 4 weeks. Rats were observed weekly for any change in their body weight, food and water intake during 28 d of the treatment. At the end of 28 d, blood samples of the rats were collected for hematological and biochemical study. Results: In acute toxicity study, all four extracts of three plants were found to be well tolerated up to the dose of 2 000 mg/kg. These produced neither mortality nor any change in the behavior in mice. In sub-acute toxicity study, all four extracts of three plants at the LD50 dose level did not produce any significant alteration in hematological and biochemical parameters in rats. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that there is a wide margin of safety for the therapeutic use of each of the four extracts of three plants. The findings also corroborated the traditional use of these extracts.

Keywords

• Acute toxicity
• Subacute toxicity
• Albino rats
• Clerodendrum inerme
• Jasminum mesnyi Hance
• Callistemon citrinus