Assessment of Toxicity and Therapeutic Effects of Goose Bone in a Rat Model

Abstract

Goose bone is traditionally used in the treatment of many ailments including in bone fracture. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the subacute toxicity of goose bone in a rat model by investigating some hematological and biochemical parameters in rats. Subsequently, a histopathological study was performed to confirm the presence of pathological lesions in the rat's vital organs including the liver, kidney, heart, brain, pancreas, lung, spleen, and stomach. Adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 8) and were orally administrated with three doses (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg) of goose bone once daily for 21 days as compared to control animals (received only drinking water). Goose bone did not cause any significant changes on body weight, relative organ weight, and percentage water content at any of the administered doses. There were also no significant alterations in hematological parameters seen. All three doses administered significantly reduced the triglyceride levels as well as the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Animals treated with 120 mg/kg doses had significantly reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as compared to the control group. There was no significant alteration on other serum biochemical parameters seen. Additionally, histopathological findings confirmed that there was no inflammatory, necrotic, or other toxicological feature seen for all three doses. It is concluded that goose bone is nontoxic and is safe for consumption besides having the potential to be investigated for the treatment of high triglycerides or liver-related disorder.