Safety evaluation of hydroethanolic fruit extracts of Duranta erecta Linn

Background: Duranta erecta is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of myriad of diseases in most developing countries. The potential safety concerns associated with the administration of hydroethanolic fruit extracts of the plants were investigated in rats.

Materials and Methods: Extracts were screened for their possible antioxidant activities by the DPPH scavenging activity. Bioactive compounds present in methanolic extracts of ripe and unripe fruits of D. erecta were identified using Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Male and female rats were grouped taking their body weights into consideration to achieve approximately equal conditions among the groups. A freshly prepared solution of DRR or DRU extract was administered orally at 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt. to different groups while normal group received distilled water daily for 28 days. Toxicity assessment was done using relative organ weight, haematological, and biochemical parameters and histological assessment.

Results: The administration of extracts resulted in overall body weight increase, significant change in relative organ weight of the liver, changes in haematological index such as platelet and biochemical parameters namely ALT, AST, ALP, TBil, DBil, IBil, creatinine and urea of the tested group relative to the normal. Histological observations showed normal hepatocytes.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that hydroethanolic Duranta erecta fruit extracts is safe but its prolonged use may have some level of adverse effect on the liver.