Toxicity Assessment of the Long-Term Usage of Asparagus racemosus Willd., an Anthelmintic Plant of India

Asparagus racemosus (Asparagaceae) is a medicinal plant used as an anthelmintic by the Santhal tribe in Assam where patients are administered a decoction of the roots. This study reports the toxic effects of A. racemosus in rodent models. Acute toxicity was performed in Swiss mice, whereas sub-acute toxicity was performed in Wistar rats. After the end of the treatment period, blood samples were drawn from rats for hematological and biochemical studies and the liver and kidney were excised and processed for transmission electron microscopy study. A single limit dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) did not cause mortality or any abnormalities in mice. Hematological and biochemical analysis revealed an elevation in eosinophil count and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase level in all treated groups of rats. However, no significant changes in body weights, food and water consumptions were observed. TEM studies reflected damage to the nucleus and cristae in the mitochondria of liver and kidneys. Also, vacuolization and damaged mitochondrial membrane were observed in the kidneys. This study suggests that although, the plant is used traditionally as an anthelmintic remedy, its long-term usage can cause mild toxicity.