ABSTRACT:
This study investigated the acute and subacute oral toxicity of SE- Oil, SE-Alcohol and SE-Chloro extracts of Senecio edgeworthii (SE) in a rodent for evaluating its safety profile. Senecio edgeworthii (SE) plant for the acute oral toxicity (300 to 5000mg/kg) and subacute oral toxicity SE- Oil (SE-Oil 50, 200, 500mg/kg) and SE-Chloro (SEC 100, 500, 1000mg/kg) and SE-Alcohol (SEA 100, 500, 1000mg/kg) studies were administered orally according to the guidelines 423 and 407 of OECD, respectively. In the acute oral toxicity study, doses are administered by 300mg/kg, 1000mg/kg, 2000mg/kg and 5000mg/kg (OECD guideline no. 423). SEA and SEC do not show toxicity up to 5000mg/kg; SE- Oil shows toxicity at a dose of 2500mg/kg. In the subacute toxicity study, the daily oral treatment with extracts of SEA and SEC 100, 500, 1000mg/kg, SE-Oil 50, 250, 500mg/kg of extracts for 28 days did not produce any death or hazard. Likewise, SEA and SEC 100, 500, 1000mg/kg, SE-Oil 50, 250mg/kg of Senecio edgeworthii hook no significant changes were recorded in food intake, body weight gain, the biochemical and haematological parameter of control and treated rats. SE-Oil 500mg/kg of significant changes were recorded in food intake and body weight gains are decreased compared to the control group and SE-Oil 500mg/kg there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in RBC counts in the treated animals compared to that of the control group counts in the treated animals and induction (ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase and Total protein). SE- Oil 500mg/kg of extract treaded group saw mild liver pathological findings characterized by abnormal hepatic configuration was observed with treated animals. The present result from the acute and subacute toxicity study Senecio edgeworthii hook alcohol and chloroform extract is considered relatively safe on acute and subacute oral exposure. Senecio edgeworthii hook flower hexane extract shows acute toxicity at dose 2500mg/kg and in subacute toxicity study, higher dose 500mg/kg.