Acute and sub-acute toxicological evaluation of aqueous and ethanol fractions of Annona squamosa root a traditional medicinal herb

The study was designed to elucidate acute and sub acute toxicity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Annona squamosa root in mice and rats respectively. In acute study aqueous and ethanolic extract of Annona squamosa root were administered to mice at a dose level starting from 5, 50,300 and 2000 mg/kg and in sub-acute toxicity study aqueous extract was administered at a dose of 200 mg/kg per day for 28 days. Acute toxicity data revealed that aqueous extract did not show any toxic related clinical signs, while ethanolic extract showed toxic clinical signs at dose of 300 and 2000 mg/kg. Sub-acute toxicity study with aqueous extract at dose of 200mg/kg showed no significant change in body weight, vital organs weight, biochemical and hematological parameters. Histopathological valuation has not shown any abnormalities in aqueous treated group when compared to the control group. Aqueous extract treated animal has not shown any signs of toxicity in acute and sub acute toxicity studies in rats, while ethanolic extract of Annona Squamosa roots was found to be toxic in acute toxicity studies.