Abstract

EVALUATION OF THE SAFETY PROFILE OF ASCIDIA SYDNEIENSIS TO WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Chandran Stella Packiam*, Robert Jothibai Margret, Vaidyanathapuram Kesavan Meenakshi

ABSTRACT

The safety profile of the ethanolic extract of simple ascidian Ascidia sydneiensis was evaluated by acute and subchronic oral toxicity study in male wistar albino rat. Acute toxicity testing was done as per standard guidelines of OECD. In subchronic oral toxicity study, the ethanolic extract was administered at different doses of 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg bw daily for fourteen days. Gross behavioural changes like irritability, tremor, laboured breathing, staggering and convulsion were recorded. Haematological, serum biochemical parameters of liver and renal functions were evaluated by sacrificing the animals. In twenty four hour acute oral toxicity study, the extract up to 2000 mg/kg body weight did not produce any toxic effect or death. Signs and symptoms of morbidity were observed at a dose of 1000 mg/kg bw and above but not mortality. No detectable alterations were found in haematological and serum biochemical parameters of liver and renal functions in treated groups throughout the study indicating non-toxic nature of the extract. The results of the present study indicate that Ascidia sydneiensis is safe in adult male wistar albino rat.

Keywords: Ascidia sydneiensis, Toxicity, Acute, Subchronic, Haematology, Biochemical parameters.