Assessment of acute and sub-acute toxicity of olive pomace in female Wistar rats

Abstract

Objective: Olive Pomace (OP) is considered to be a rich source of phenolic compounds. Recently many researches showed a broad biological activity of this by-product of the olive oil production process in addition to their emergence as value-added materials with potential applications in the pharmaceutical, food, and nutraceutical industries. The present study is aimed to evaluate in vivo toxicological activities of OP. Materials and Methods: The qualitative phytochemical analysis aims to determine the key phytoconstituents found in OP. For the in vivo study, two types of tests are performed: acute and 28-day repeated oral toxicity studies in Wistar rats for evaluation of hematological, biochemical, and histological parameters. Results: The qualitative phytochemical analysis has revealed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, quinones, anthraquinones, terpenoids, and compounds reduced in our methanol extract of OP. In acute oral toxicity, no treatment-related death or toxic signs are observed in female rats for 14 days in 200, 2000, 3000, and 5000 mg/kg doses, besides LD50 value is found to be up to 2000 mg/kg bodyweight. As for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. 28-days sub-acute toxicity study is carried in female rats at four dose levels (3.12, 31.25, 125 and 500 mg/kg), no changes in observation related death and toxic signs when compared with control. The hematological and biochemical investigation shows a significant change (p>0.05) in the high-level doses (500 mg/kg). Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, OP extract has the potential to be used to generate new anti-cancer and antioxidant additives for pharmaceutical and food manufacturing. Long-term in vivo toxicological tests should also be conducted to determine a safe dosage of OP extract.

Keywords

• olive pomace
• methanol extract
• acute toxicity
• sub-acute toxicity