Studies on sub-acute oral toxicity of ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Blumea laevis (EABL) in sprague dawley rats

Blumea genus belonging to Asteraceae family consists of more than 80 species, among which Blumea laevis is found abundantly sprouting during the post monsoon season and available full-fledged with flowers and fruiting from December to June in different regions of Kerala, the present study was undertaken as several veterinarians reported of high mortality in goats ascribing of ingesting Blumea laevis plant. This present study was envisaged to ascertain sub-acute toxic effects by evaluating the haemato-biochemical and pathomorphological alterations in rats fed with aerial parts of Blumea laevis. In the repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study (OECD407) the extract administered at dose rates of 250, 500, 1000 mg/kg when compared tocontrol group of animals, showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in total leucocytecount (TLC) alongside significant increase (p<0.05) in serum biochemical parameters of and ALT, AST, ALP and BUN in both male and female treatment groups. On gross examination no specific lesion was observed albeit on microscopic examination showed minimal coagulative necrosis, vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver and tubular epithelial cell degeneration and hyperplasia of the tubules were evident in the kidneys of rats receiving highest dose of EABL extract which clearly is conclusive of minimal toxicity in rats fed with EABL extract for 28 days.