Acute and subchronic oral toxicity assessment of extract from Etlingera pavieana rhizomes

In Southeast Asia, the rhizome of Etlingera pavieana is commonly consumed and parts of the rhizomes have been used as a medicine for the treatment of several disorders. Its pharmacological effects have previously been reported. However, its potential toxicity has not been described. This study aimed to evaluate in vivo toxicity of E. pavieana rhizome extract (EPE) in Sprague Dawley rats. Acute toxicity testing of EPE at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg produced no toxic effects in female rats after 14 days of treatment. Subchronic toxicity testing showed that all doses of EPE (500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day) produced no sign of toxicity during 90 days of treatment. All biochemical and hematological values were within normal ranges. There were no significant histopathological differences in the internal organs among the tested groups. Therefore, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of EPE was 2000 mg/kg/day in both male and female rats, thereby confirming the safety of EPE for use in traditional medicines. • Evaluating the acute and subchronic oral toxicity of Etlingera pavieana rhizome extract (EPE) in rats. • EPE at tested doses did not produce any signs of acute and 90-day oral toxicity. • The NOAEL of EPE can be considered to be higher than 2,000 mg/kg/day. • The safety of E. pavieana rhizomes in rats provides support for the use as food and in medicines.