Acute and sub-acute Toxicity study of Aqueous extracts of Canscora heteroclita (L) Gilg in Rodents

Background: Canscora heteroclita (C. heteroclita) being used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine in India for treatment of various diseases. No systematic toxicity study for this plant was described. Objective: The present study was undertaken to assess the safety use of this plant in traditional practice. Materials and Methods: The acute oral toxicity study of aqueous extract of Canscora heteroclita (AECH) was carried out as per the OECD guidelines 423 in mice and the sub-acute toxicity was carried out at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg as per OECD 407 guidelines in male and female rats. Results: Mice administered upto 2000 mg/kg as a single dose orally not caused any signs of toxicity or mortality in mice. In sub-acute toxicity study in rats, AECH at two different daily doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg for 28 days did not cause any significant change including the hematological and biochemical parameters. Histopathological examinations showed normal architecture suggesting no morphological disturbances. Conclusion: No deaths or any signs of toxicity was observed after oral administration in acute toxicity study upto a dose of 2000 mg/kg of AECH in mice and upto a dose of 400 mg/kg of AECH in sub acute toxicity study in rats.