Acute and chronic toxicities of Bacopa monnieri extract in Sprague-Dawley rats
Authors
Seewaboon Sireeratawong
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
Kanjana Jaijoy
McCormick Faculty of Nursing, Payap University, Chiang Mai, 50000 Thailand
Parirat Khonsung
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
Nirush Lertprasertsuk
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
Kornkanok Ingkaninan
Bioscreening Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000 Thailand
Keywords:
Bacopa monnieri, Acute toxicity, Chronic toxicity
Abstract
Bacopa monnieri is a medicinal plant which has long been used in Ayurvedic medicines to augment brain function and to improve memory. The purpose of our study was to identify and evaluate possible toxic effects of B. monnieri extract in rats by assessing hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters.
Methods
Acute oral toxicity of Bacopa monnieri extract was studied in female rats by giving a single orally administered dose at a level of 5,000 mg/kg. The rats were monitored for toxic signs for 14 days. In the chronic toxicity test, groups of both female and male rats were given daily oral doses of B. monnieri extract at dose levels of either 30, 60, 300 or 1,500 mg/kg for 270 days. The behavior and health of the animals was then monitored. At the end of the observation period, the body and organ weights of the rats in each group were measured. Blood was collected and necropsy was performed to evaluate their hematology, blood clinical chemistry, and microanatomy.
Results
The acute toxicity test found no significant differences between the experimental and the control group rats. In the chronic toxicity test, animal behavior and health of the experimental groups were normal, just as in the control rats. All values of other parameters assessed remained within the normal range.
Conclusion
A single oral administration of B. monnieri extract at the dose of 5,000 mg/kg did not cause any serious undesirable effects. B. monnieri extract at doses of 30, 60, 300 and 1,500 mg/kg given for 270 days did not produce any toxicity in rats.
Keywords: Bacopa monnieri, Acute toxicity, Chronic toxicity
Author Biography
Seewaboon Sireeratawong, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
Division of Pharmacology, Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120 Thailand
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