European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND TOXICITY EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT EXTRACTS OF SMILAX CHINA ON ALBINO RATS

*Elavarasi S., Horne Iona Averal, Nevika E., Kanimozhi P., Malini R. and Arokiya Jenifer A.
PG and Research Department of Zoology, Holy Cross College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli – 620 002.

ABSTRACT

The present study aims to test the toxic effect of the rhizome extract of Smilax china using three different solvents viz ethanol, acetone and benzene by examine the changes in behaviour, body weight, food intake, water intake, haematological parameters and histological changes in the vital organs such as lungs, heart, liver and kidney. No behavioural changes or any toxic symptoms and mortality was observed throughout the experimental period. There is a slight variations in the body weight, food intake and water intake of the extract treated groups compared to control group rats. The haematological parameters showed significant difference among the different extract treated rats and control rats, but the levels are not exceeded from the normal range. The microscopic and macroscopic examination of the vital organs showed normal cell structures, blood vessels and nuclei. Thus the present study revealed that the different extracts of S. china did not produce any toxic effects at the high dose of 2000mg/kg body weight and is found to be safe, and to be used for further evaluation studies.

Keywords: Smilax china, Albino rats, Toxicity, Behaviour, Haematology and Histological changes.