Sub-Acute Toxicity Study of Calotropis gigantea Latex Extracts in Male Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Background: Calotropis gigantea of family Asclepiadaceae, is traditionally used in ayurveda for its anti-helminthic, anti-pyretic, and anti-malarial activities. The present study was designed to investigate the sub-acute toxic effects of ethanol and water extract of Calotropis gigantea latex in mouse model using haematology, serum biochemistry and histopathological changes
as toxicity indices.
Methods: In the sub-acute 28-day toxicity study, ethanol and water extract of Calotropis gigantea latex were administered intraperitoneally at the dose levels of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body wt./day.
Results: Significant (p<0.05) difference were not observed in relative organ weights and haematological, hepatic and renal biomarkers up to the dose level of 500 mg/kg body wt./day for 28 days except blood glucose and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) in comparison to the control group. No significant toxicity was seen up to the dose level of 1000 mg/kg body wt./day for 28 days in case of blood glucose and SGPT.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that Calotropis gigantea latex extracts do not cause sub acute toxicity up to the level of 1000 mg/kg body wt./day for 28 days and may be considered as phytomedicinal therapeutic agents.