Acute toxicity on the ethanolic fruit extracts of Morinda sp. in Wistar albino rats

Abstract

The different maturity stages of ethanolic fruit extracts of Morinda citrifolia and Morinda tinctoria were evaluated for its acute toxicity effect on Wistar albino rats. The extracts were administered orally at the doses of 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight in sighting study and observed for 14 days. Based on this observation, the highest dose 2000 mg/kg body weight was chosen for the acute toxicity study. Wistar rats were separated into seven and four groups of three animals each for M. citrifolia and M. tinctoria respectively. All the rats were observed for signs of toxicity for 14 days. During experimental period, rats were observed for any changes in body weight, food and water intake. On the 15^th day, all the rats were sacrificed. Internal organs were excised and weighed. Hematological and biochemical parameters were analyzed. The results revealed that there was no indication of toxicity, behavioral or physiological changes. Also the extract did not made any considerable alterations in food and water intake in rats throughout the experimental time. The biochemical and hematological results of the groups were not considerably different. Overall, our study confirmed that an oral administration of M. citrifolia and M. tinctoria extracts at the dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight does not cause any toxicity in rats. The data of the toxicity studies could increase the assurance in its safety to human.