Preliminary phytochemical and preclinical toxicity studies of Grewia serrulata DC

Background

The present study was aimed to evaluate phytochemical constituents and the safety of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of aerial parts of Grewia serrulata DC (AEGS & EEGS) by determining their potential toxicity after acute and 28-day repeated dose administration in Wistar Albino rats.

Methods

The phytochemical analysis was done by standard laboratory grade reagents. Acute and 28-day repeated dose oral toxicity studies were performed by the following OECD test guide lines 423 and 407 respectively.

Results

The present study reveals the presence of complex phytochemical constituents like flavanoids, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids, steroids and phenols. In acute toxicity study no treatment related death or toxic signs were observed with AEGS and EEGS administration. In repeated dose study no significant differences in body weight changes and hemotological paremeters were observed between control and AEGS and EEGS groups. Conversely there was a decrease in serum glucose and cholesterol levels and an increase in protein levels in treated rats compared to control. No gross pathological findings and difference in relative organ weights were observed between control and treated rats. Histopathological examination revealed no abnormalities with the test drug treatment.

Conclusion

Preliminary phytochemical evaluation shows the presence of various bioactive constituents. Acute toxicity study reveals that LD₅₀ of AEGS and EEGS is greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight (b wt) in fasted female rats and can be classified under category 5. The 28-day repeated oral toxicity study justified that the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of G. serrulata DC (GS) is greater than 800 mg/kg b wt/day P.O in rats. There were no delayed effects in GS satellite group. In conclusion GS was found to be non-toxic in tested doses and experimental conditions.