In vivo assessment of acute and subchronic toxicity of hydroethanolic extract of Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae) stem bark

Many studies have confirmed the traditional use of Ximenia americana (Olacaceae). Its different parts, leaf, fruit, roots, stem bark and root bark have showed pharmacological potentials. X. americana is a plant which possessed antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiviral and anticancer properties. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the oral acute and subchronic toxicity of hydroethanolic extract of X. americana stem bark on Sprague Dawley rats. In acute test, female rats were administrated once 5000 mg/kg and observed during 14 days for determination of toxicity signs. For the subchronic toxicity the extract (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) was administrated daily to both sexes of rats during 28 days. Control rats were administrated distilled water. Animals were observed, food and water consumption, mortality were monitoring during experiment period. Body weight, organs relative weight, hematological and biochemical parameters and histopathological changes were conducted at the end of treatment. Acute toxicity test revealed no adverse effects and no mortality. Extract administration during 28 days does not cause any behavioral change, change in body and organs relative weight and mortality. No significant variation was observed in hematological, biochemical parameters between treatment and control groups. No remarkable structural change was found in organs. However, triglycerides show significant variation in both sexes but this variation was not dose dependent. Results suggested that the LD50 of hydroethanolic extract of X. americana stem bark is higher than 5000 mg/kg and extract administration at 1000 mg/kg during 28 days does not cause toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats. Keywords: Ximenia americana; stem bark; acute toxicity; subacute toxicity; hematological parameters; biochemical analysis