International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences, 2013, 2, 4, 99-104.
Published: December 2013
Type: Research Article
Authors: Qazi Najam-us-Saqib, Rahila Qayyum, and Abdul Waheed
Author(s) affiliations:
Qazi Najam-us-Saqib1*, Rahila Qayyum1, Abdul Waheed2
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, COMSATS institute of information Technology (CIIT), Abbottabad, Pakistan.
2University of Surrey London, England.
Abstract
Background: Caralluma tuberculata (Asclepiadaceae), a succulent perennial herb used as vegetable is reported to treat the diabetes and rheumatism. In the present study the safety profile of Caralluma tuberculata (CT) was evaluated by gross behavioral, acute and chronic toxicity study of ethyl acetate fraction of ethanolic extract of CT in Swiss albino mice. Materials and Methods: For acute toxicity study, mice were divided into seven groups. Normal saline was given by intraperitoneal route to control group and to other six groups, different doses of extract i.e. 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 g/kg body weight was given to the mice intraperitoneally. In chronic toxicity study, 100mg/kg body weight was given intraperitoneally route for three months. In acute toxicity mortality rate was determined, while in chronic toxicity changes in body and organ weight, biochemical, hematological parameters in both male and female mice, and spermatotoxic effects in male mice were measured by using standard procedures. Statistical analysis was carried out by student t-test. Results: Acute toxicity showed that the ethyl acetate fraction was safe up to 3g/kg body weight in mice. In gross behavioral study some signs of passivity and decreased spontaneous activity were observed. No mortality was observed in chronic toxicity study. No detectable alterations were found on weight, vital body organs, biochemical, and hematological parameters; no spermatotoxic effects in treated mice were observed when compared to vehicle control group after three months of chronic treatment. Conclusion: The results of present study therefore indicated that ethyl acetate fraction of ethanolic extract of Caralluma tuberculata was safe in test animals demonstrating no noticeable toxicity.