Acute and Subacute Toxicity Evaluation of Ethanolic Root Extract of Saccharum spontaneum Linn. (Poaceae) in Experimental Rats

The present investigation was intended to evaluate the toxicity of the ethanolic root extract of a traditionally used plant Saccharum spontaneum Linn (S.spontaneum). The acute toxicity studies was done on male wistar albino rats which showed no clinical signs, no mortality of the rats even under higher dosages levels (50, 150, 300, 500, 1000, 2000mg/kg b.wt) indicating the high margin of safety of the plant extract. The sub acute toxicity study was done to find out the effective dosage of the plant in rats. The varying doses (100,200,300,400, and 500mg/kg b.wt) of the plant extract were administered orally to different groups of male wistar strain of albino rats on daily basis and sacrificed after 28 days of administration. There was no change in the body weight and no mortality was found in the experimental animals during the study period. The record of biochemical parameters like calcium, oxalate, phosphorus, magnesium protein, urea, uric acid, creatinine, sodium, potassium and chloride in treatment groups of rats were non significant in comparison with control group of rats. The parameters remained within the normal range. The results of study have suggested there was no obvious toxicity observed with the treatment of S.spontaneum It was found to be safe alternative for various severe infections.