Studies on the acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Alysicarpus ovalifolius in mice

Abstract

Alysicarpus ovalifolius (Fabaceae) is an herb used in the preparation of a tea consumed as energy booster. This study was aimed at assessing its acute toxicity profile by determining in mice the LD₅₀ of an aqueous extract of Alysicarpus ovalifolius prepared by decoction. The oral acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Alysicarpus ovalifolius (AO) was determined in mice using the Lorke’s method. Animals were observed for signs of intoxication and mortality for a duration of 14 days after which organs of the animals were collected, weighed and processed for histological assessment. The extract did not produce any mortality at the doses administered. No change was recorded in the relative organ weight of isolated organs. No morphological alterations were observed on macroscopic and histologic assessment of systemic organs. The LD₅₀ was estimated to be greater than 5g/kg, therefore the aqueous extract of Alysicarpus ovalifolius may be considered as having low potential to cause toxic effects on acute oral administration.