ACUTE AND SUBACUTE TOXICITY STUDY OF THE ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF PUNICA GRANATUM (LINN). WHOLE FRUIT AND SEEDS AND SYNTHETIC ELLAGIC ACID IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity profile of ethanolic extracts of Punica granatum (L).whole fruit (EPWF) and seeds (EPS) and synthetic ellagic acid (EA) in Swiss albino mice following OECD guidelines.  Methods: In acute toxicity study, mice were orally administered 2000 mg/kg body weight of extracts and synthetic compound. In subacute toxicity study, the animals were orally administered with the extracts and synthetic compound (2000 mg/kg body weight) daily for 28 days whereas, control group received normal saline. Results: There were no behavioral alterations or mortality recorded in the treated groups. The LD50 value was more than 2000 mg/kg body weight. Test groups did not record any significant alterations (p>0.05) in body weight gain, food and water intake. The hematological and biochemical parameters and organ weights did not record any significant alterations (p>0.05) in the treated groups when compared to control. A detailed examination of histoarchitecture of the liver and kidney did not reveal any observable cellular damage in the treated groups compared to control. Conclusion: The overall finding of this study suggests that Punica granatum (L) whole fruit (EPWF) and seeds (EPS) ethanolic extract and synthetic ellagic acid (EA) is safe up to 2000 mg/kg body weight oral administration and can be considered as non toxic. Keywords : Punica granatum (L), Ellagic acid, ethanolic extract, acute toxicity, subacute toxicity