Toxicological study of hydroalcoholic extract of Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) heyne ex roth in wistar albino rats

This study aimed to establish the safety profile of hydroalcoholic extract of Blepharis maderaspatensis (HAEBM) by performing acute and sub-acute oral toxicity studies in Wistar Albino rats of both sexes in accordance with OECD guidelines. In the acute toxicity study (OECD 423), first group (n = 6) served as control, received 0.2% CMC while the second group (n = 6) was treated with HAEBM at the dose of 2g/kg body weight p.o. Mortality was checked for 14days. In the sub-acute toxicity studies (OECD 407), the first group served as control while the other three groups (n = 6) received oral administration of HAEBM (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b.wt./day respectively) for 28 days. Animals were sacrificed on 29th day. Body weight, hematological, biochemical parameters and histopathological changes were evaluated. Statistical Analysis was performed using Dunn's post hoc test. Acute toxicity studies indicated nil mortality. Sub-acute toxicity studies proved HAEBM to be non-toxic as it did not produce significant changes in organ weight, hematological parameters, and biochemical parameters. This study depicts that acute exposure of 2g/kg b.wt./day and sub-acute administration of HAEBM for 28 days proved safe and non-toxic and hence may be suitable for therapeutic use.