ACUTE TOXICITY EVALUATION OF PROTODIOSCIN RICH EXTRACT OF TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM L IN RATS

ABSTRACT Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the acute toxicity of standardized protodioscin rich extract (PRE) of Trigonella foenumgraecum L (26.63% w/w; PRE). Methods: To evaluate the toxicity of PRE, the acute toxicity of the extract on adult rats were investigated. A fixed large dose of 2 g/kg body weight of PRE was administrated by a single oral gavage, and 1 g/kg body weight of PRE was administered by intravenous according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines. Results: In 2 weeks, PRE showed no obvious acute toxicity. There were no deaths in either group and no change in the clinical signs. The hematological and biochemical analyses showed some changes that returned to reference levels without impairment of homeostasis. The treatment did not induce untoward changes in organs as shown by histological studies. The in vivo results showed that has low toxicity. Conclusion: PRE is safe and can be potentially used as an aphrodisiac in future studies. Keywords : Protodioscin, Aphrodisiac, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Toxicity, Histopathological studies.