Acute and Sub-chronic Toxicity Evaluations of Mallotus repandus Stem Methanol Extract in Female Sprague-Dawley Rats

Abstract Background Mallotus repandus (M. repandus), a well-known medicinal plant, is traditionally used around the globe to treat or prevent numerous diseases and/or disorders such as inflammation, hepatic disorder, cirrhosis, rheumatic arthritis, tumor, and snake-bite. Some common names for it include Bon natai, Jhante, or Gunti. Some potential bioactive compounds from this plant have been identified, and hepatoprotective activities of the stem part have been also investigated by standard methods. However, there is no strong evidence about its toxicity profile that was performed in a systematic study using substantial animal models. We designed our current study with Swiss albino mice and Sprague-Dawley rat model using biochemical parameters, histological, and hematological evaluation to assess the toxic effects of M. repandus methanol stem extract (MMSE). Methods In response to determining the acute toxicity of M. repandus extract, we assigned Swiss albino mice to treat with M. repandus extract at the administration concentrations of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/kg for 3 successive days. Within these 3 days, we checked out the behavioral changes, any responses to the acute toxicity, and the mortality of the selected mice at every moment. Conversely, to evaluate its sub-chronic toxicity of it, rats were allocated into four different groups to receive weight-based oral doses of MMSE (500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg; once daily) for 28 days. Biochemical, hematological, and histological investigations were conducted after the treatment period. Results Findings disclosed that there were no substantial alterations in comparative organ weight, the water content percentage, and body weight. Moreover, results indicated that the MMSE provides no tenacious effects on hematological parameters, serum renal markers, and electrolytes in experimental rats. However, a reduction in triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, atherogenic indices, and total cholesterol was observed. Similarly, a higher dose (2000 mg/kg) considerably decreased the hepatic marker enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), glycated hemoglobin, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and serum glucose level than the control group. Interestingly, in the histological investigation, necrotic and inflammatory features were also not found in normal cellular structures. Conclusion Taken all together, results suggest that MMSE is non-toxic, and bears cardio-protective, glucose-lowering capacity, and hepato-protective characteristics.