GC-MS Analysis and Toxicological Evaluation of Asparagus falcatus Linn. Extracts in Healthy Wistar Rats Using a Biochemical, Hematological and Histological Approach

The present study evaluates the potential toxic/adverse effects of selected extracts derived from Asparagus falcatus Linn. (family; Asparagaceae) leaves via acute and sub-acute oral toxicity assessment in healthy Wistar rats. The dried powder of the leaf of A. falcatus was sequentially extracted in hexane (AFH), ethyl acetate (AFEA), n-butanol (AFNB) and water (AFW), respectively, by the Soxhlet extraction method followed by complete evaporation of the solvents. Investigations were carried out by repeated dose oral administration (daily for 28+ days) of AFH (55 mg/kg), AFEA (35 mg/kg), AFNB (75 mg/kg) and AFW (200 mg/kg) leaf extracts derived from A. falcatus in healthy Wistar rats (n = 5/sex/group). GC-MS analysis was also conducted. None of the biochemical and hematological parameters showed clinically significant changes in the sub-acute oral toxicity assessment of the selected leaf extracts at the therapeutic doses. Qualitative analysis of phytochemicals in AFH, AFEA, AFNB and AFW leaf extracts of A. falcatus revealed the absence of alkaloids, excluding thus the potential risk of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The presence of prominent bioactive phytoconstituents identified by GC-MS analysis, including dodecanoic acid, 1,2,3-propanetriyl ester, cyclohexanol,5-methyl-2-(1methylethyl)-(1.alpha,2.alpha,5.alpha), hexadecanoic acid, butyl ester, octadecanoic acid, ethyl ester, 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol and hexanedioic acid bis(2ethylhexyl)ester, further signified the medicinal importance of A. falcatus. In addition, dimethyl sulfone, 2,3-butanedioldiacetate, E-14-hexadecanal, tetradecane, octadecane, tetracosane,11-decyl, etc., were identified in abundance in the GC-MS analysis. The results might ensure the safe consumption of the plant extracts at the human equivalent therapeutic dose in healthy Wistar rats.