IN-VIVO TOXICITY PROFILE OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF TERMINALIA ARJUNA (ROXB. EXDC) BARK IN MALE ALBINO WISTAR RATS

The bio-active compounds present in Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ExDC) have anti-oxidant, anti-proliferative, anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycemic, and lipid-lowering activity. In addition, it has cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, and renoprotective properties. The study evaluated in-vivo toxicity profile of the methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna (META) bark on male albino Wistar rats before undertaking further investigation on the use of this extract as a potential therapeutic agent against such conditions. Animals were administered with 300 and 2000 mg/Kg b.w./day of  META bark for 14 days; and  250, 500, and 1000 mg/Kg b.w./day of META bark for 28 days for acute and sub-acute toxicity respectively. The outcome of the acute toxicity study revealed no signs of mortality or general behavioral alteration in treatment groups in comparison to the control group. The sub-acute toxicity study revealed, there is no significant influence (p<0.05) of META bark in food consumption and percentage weight gain in the animals. No significant changes (p<0.05) in hematological parameters as well as in biochemical parameters were observed. Histopathological examination showed normal cellular architecture of vital organs in treatment groups as compared to the control group. These results indicated the short-term and long-term administration of META bark did not cause any toxicity in male albino Wistar rats.