Acute Toxicity of Aqueous Extract of a Diabetic Folklore Recipe Thai Traditional Medicine in Rats

Abstract

Thai traditional medicine is still widely used in taking care of health in daily life. A recipe from TTM composes of Clerodendrum paniculatum, Arcangelisia flava, Suregada multifloraa, Dendrophthoe pentandra, Tectona grandis, Derris scandens, and Salacia chinensis is recommended for use as diabetic treatment in the folk medicine of Thailand. The study determined the acute toxicity of aqueous extract from the recipe in male and female Wistar rats. The OECD 420 guidelines were followed in performing the acute toxicity investigation. The extracts were given orally to male and female Wistar rats once at doses. The body weights were measured in weeks 0, 1, and 2. At the end of the experiments, internal organ weights were recorded. The blood biochemistry, liver and kidney histology, and hematological parameters were investigated. The results showed that no doses of the recipe produced any signs or symptoms of toxicity during the first 24 hours and no rat died within 14 days. All of the treatments cause the rats to gain weight. Rats given the extracts orally showed no changes in hematological parameters. The blood biochemical values changes including Cr, AST, ALT, ALP, and TG levels were significantly altered in the treated groups (P< 0.05). These altered levels, however, were still within normal ranges. Additionally, liver and kidney tissues did not show any signs of inflammation. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that the aqueous extract had no acute toxicity but slightly altered some liver and kidney functions.