Der Pharmacia Lettre
Abstract
Author(s): Shakti Prasad Pattanayak, Papiya Mitra Mazumder
The hydroalcoholic extract (HEDF) from the aerial parts of the hemiparasitic plant D. falcata,
was evaluated for acute and subacute toxicity with the hope that the results would provide
information on the safety of this extract prior to the evaluation of its efficacy in humans. In rats,
single intraperitoneal injections of HEDF (1.0 Ã?¢Ã?â?¬Ã?â?? 2.5 g/kg) induced a regular dose-dependent
increase in the death rate and incidence of general behaviour adverse effects. In sub acute
toxicity studies, three doses of 250, 475 or 950 mg/kg/day of HEDF were administered orally for
a period of 28 days. Phytochemical analysis revealed that polyphenols, terpenes and steroids
were major compounds. The LD50 value after acute intraperitoneal doses was 1.75 g/kg. In the
open field arena, HEDF (475mg/kg and 950mg/kg p.o.) reduced the number of rearing episodes
and locomotion, while number of urine spots increased. In subacute tests, haematological
analysis showed a significant (p < 0.01) increase in WBC count. In the blood chemistry analysis,
a transient decrease in AST activity was observed whereas cholesterol level was decreases in
animals that received high dose of extract. Pathologically, neither gross abnormalities nor
histopathological changes were observed. Collectively these data demonstrate that HEDF are
relatively safe in rats; however, assessment of hepato-biliary function should be done during
chronic use in humans.
