Abstract

INSIGHTS OF THE TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF FRUIT OF COUROUPITA GUIANENSIS AUBL. IN THE PRECLINICAL STUDY

Khushi J. Soni, Dr. AHM Viswanatha Swamy*, Goutami G Kulkarni, Spandana Mahantesh Babaladi, Sumanth B., Swami Bhakti Vidyanand

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Couroupita guianensis Aubl., a 90-foot-tall tropical tree native to India, flowers and leaves used by Native Americans for treating inflammation, tumours, hypertension and fruit for wound healing, reproductive disorders and infertility. This study seeks to establish scientific evidence regarding the safety of the methanolic extract of CGA pulp by evaluating its acute and sub-acute oral toxicity in Wistar rats, following the OECD 423 and OECD 407 guidelines, respectively. Methodology: The acute toxicity assessment was performed at a dosage of 2000mg/kg BW (limit test OECD 423 guideline annex 2d) where in a single dose was given and subacute toxicity was conducted at 1000mg/kg BW (OECD 407 guideline) where in the pulp extract was administered 28 days straight. Cage side observations and Functional observation battery test were conducted for 14 and 28 days, mortality was monitored and Serum biochemical analysis, hematological analysis, urine analysis, necropsy, and histological evaluations were performed at 14th and 29th day of acute and subacute toxicity study respectively. Results: The in-silico study predicted various organ-related toxicities. However, in both acute and subacute studies, the rats exhibited no behavioral changes or mortality compared to the normal and control groups. Serum biochemical, hematological, and urine analyses showed no significant differences from normal rats in the acute toxicity study, though histopathological findings indicated slight variations. In the subacute toxicity study, biochemical, hematological, and urine analyses revealed results that differed from the control group, and significant histopathological alterations were observed. Since there were no chronic effects, the study comes to the conclusion that the pulp extract is safe for oral use.

Keywords: Couroupita guianensis Aubl., Hepatotoxicity, Nephrotoxicity, Cardiotoxicity, Histopathology.