EVALUATION OF ACUTE AND SUB-CHRONIC TOXICITY OF THE ETHANOL EXTRACT OF BLACK SHALLOT (Allium ascalonicum L.) IN SWISS ALBINO MOUSE

Abstract

Black shallot, the new processing product from shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.), possesses many pharmacological and biological properties. Black shallot contains terpenoids, saponins, tannins and phenolic compounds that exhibit antibiotic properties and resistance to cancer cells. In this study, the toxicity profile of ethanolic extract of black shallot (EtAA) was investigated. In acute toxicity tests, mice were administered with EtAA (1000, 3000, 5000 and 7000 mg/kg), for 14 days. In the sub-chronic toxicity test, for 12 weeks, the experimental animals were given EtAA (100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg). On the other hand, control animals were fed distilled water. The animals’ body weight, food and water consumptions were monitored weekly. In addition, their biochemical and hematological parameters, histopathology, and body and organ weights were all measured at specific observation time points. According to the results of the acute toxicity and sub-chronic test, no mortality was found, EtAA did not cause significant abnormalities in the physiological parameters or pathological changes in the major organs of the rats. These results indicate that EtAA is safe at the studied dosage levels and causes no acute or chronic toxicity in animal models.