Citation

Ea N, Padikkala J, Mathew L. Indian J. Pharm. Sci. 2021; 83(5): 1000-1006.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Medknow Publications)

DOI

10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.853

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Thevetia peruviana seed kernels are widely used for suicide attempts in many countries including India. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the level of toxicity exposure of seed kernels by acute and subacute studies on male Wistar albino rats. Haematological parameters and serum biochemical studies were performed in all treated and control groups. In acute toxicity studies, no mortality was observed in groups treated with 100 and 250 mg/kg animals, but the mortality rate was 100 % in 500 mg/kg category. Lethality (lethal dose 50 %) associated with 70 % methanol extract was calculated as 375 mg/kg, revealed the narrow margin of safety lies in between 250 and 500 mg/kg. Exposure to subacute doses did not make any significant changes (p>0.05) in physical parameters like body weight and feeding habits of all treated groups (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg for consecutive 14 d). All groups recorded a progressive weight gain and normal food consumption and water intake (p>0.05) as compared with control. Total erythrocytes, haemoglobin concentration, lipid profile, serum electrolytes, bicarbonates, liver functioning enzymes, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, renal urea and creatinine levels were recorded normal in acute and subacute groups. From this experiment it is concluded that the level of toxicity and safety margin is very narrow and the seeds really take lives of organisms, whether the intake is accidental or deliberate. © 2021 Indian Pharmaceutical Association. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

male; lethality; toxicity; mortality; food intake; methanol; suicide attempt; controlled study; blood sampling; nonhuman; albumin; albumin blood level; electrolyte; acute toxicity; feeding behavior; animal experiment; alanine aminotransferase; aspartate aminotransferase; bicarbonate; animal model; rat; protein blood level; creatinine; creatinine blood level; leukocyte count; urea; urea blood level; body weight; heparin; centrifugation; fluid intake; Article; plant extract; plant seed; animal tissue; hemoglobin; bilirubin; bilirubin blood level; hemoglobin blood level; alanine aminotransferase blood level; aspartate aminotransferase blood level; Thevetia; liver function; alkaline phosphatase blood level; erythrocyte count; bicarbonate blood level; alkaline phosphatase; electrolyte blood level; tap water; phosphate buffered saline; body weight gain; mortality rate; platelet count; Lipid profile; blood biochemistry; lipid fingerprinting; petroleum ether; cell counting; Haemogram profile; Lethal dose; Renal profile; seed kernel; Serum electrolytes; Soxhlet extraction; Thevetia peruviana seed kernels