Acute and sub-chronic pre-clinical toxicological study of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae)

Abstract

Averrhoa carambola L., a species belonging to the Oxalidaceae family, is associated with neurological symptoms in individuals with renal diseases. The objective of this work was to accomplish a preclinical toxicological study of the hydroalcoholic extract (HE) from A. carambola leaves. Wistar rats and Swiss mice, both male and female, were used in these experiments. The rats were used in the acute toxicity assessment, with the extract administered at doses of 0.1 to 8.0 g/kg (oral route), and 0.5 to 3.0 g/kg (via intraperitoneal route). The mice received the extract in doses of 0.5 to 5.0 g/kg (via oral and intraperitoneal routes) and were observed for 14 days. Rats were also used in the sub-chronic toxicity evaluation, and divided into three groups (n=10): control group, HE 0.125 g/kg and HE 0.25 g/kg. These animals received HE for a 60 day period, at the end of which a macroscopic analysis of selected organs was performed with biochemical analysis of the blood. The acute toxicity assessment revealed that the HE of A. carambola L. presented low toxicity in the mice and rats. Furthermore, no signs of toxicity were present in the sub-chronic assessment.

Keywords: Averrhoa carambola L., Oxalidaceae, acute toxicity, sub-chronic toxicity

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(40), pp. 5917-5925