Abstract

IN VIVO ACUTE AND SUB ACUTE ORAL TOXICITY OF DIDEMNUM PSAMMATHODES

Roselin K. F.*

Abstract

Oral toxicological testing in animal models helps to identify the safety profile of drug leads. These are essential preliminary steps in the invention of new drugs. Acute and sub acute oral toxicity of the ethanol extract of colonial ascidian Didemnum psammathodes supplemented with and without Vitamin E was evaluated after single and 28-day repeated oral dosing in Swiss albino mice. The biochemical profile of liver, kidney and haematological parameters were also assessed adopting standard procedure. Single day oral dosing of 2000 mg/kg bw did not indicate any mortality. Administration of the extract at 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg bw for 28 days indicated changes in behaviour above a dose of 500 mg/kg, but no mortality. Results of the hepatic, renal function tests and blood profile were within normal limits below 500 mg/k confirming the oral safety of the extract.

Keywords: Acute, sub acute, oral, Didemnum psammathodes.