Acute and sub-acute toxicity study of hydroalcoholic fruit extract of Pithecellobium dulce.

This study was carried out to evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity profile of the hydroalcoholic fruit extract (HAEPD) of Pithecellobium dulce (Leguminosae). Albino rats were treated orally with 100, 200 and 500 mg kg(-1) bodyweight (BW) of HAEPD for 90 days to assess its sub-acute toxicity. HAEPD at single doses of 100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg kg(-1) BW was also administered to rats to assess its acute toxicity. The rats were observed for physical discomfort, BW change and feeding habits. Pithecellobium dulce did not cause any abnormal changes in haematological or biochemical parameters. Pathologically, no gross abnormality in the tissue architecture was observed. The LD(50) was found to be 3916 mg kg(-1) BW and potential effective doses for efficacy studies are 100 and 300 mg kg(-1) BW as the minimum and maximum doses, respectively. It is concluded that HAEPD can be used safely for experimental and clinical trials.