ACUTE AND SUB-CHRONIC TOXICITY STUDIES OF CRUDE ETHANOL EXTRACT OF Caryota urens L. (FISHTAIL PALM) FRUIT IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Abstract

Caryota urens L. is widely distributed in the mountainous areas of Vietnam. C. urens fruit contains compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, carbohydrates, etc. It has the effect of treating stomach ulcers, migraines, arthritis, etc. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of crude ethanol extract from the fruit of C. urens (EtCU) in Swiss albino mice via acute and sub-chronic toxicity tests. In the acute toxicity test, mice were oral once doses of 1000, 3000, 5000 mg EtCU/kg. After administration of the extract, the mice were monitored continuously for the first 4 h, followed by intermittent observation for 24 h. Then observed daily follow-up for 14 days. Abnormal behaviors, signs of poisoning and mortality of mice were observed and recorded. In sub-chronic toxicity test, mice were given oral EtCU at doses of 100, 300, 500 mg/kg for 90 days. EtCU does not cause significant differences in food and water intake consumed, body weight, urinalysis, hematology, biochemistry, relative weight and histology of liver and kidney versus controls. The results indicated that EtCU does not cause acute (1000-5000 mg/kg) or sub-chronic toxicities (100-500 mg/kg) in mice.