Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Studies on the Aqueous Extract of the Plant Mixture (Bidens pilosa and Cymbopogon citratus Aerial Parts) in Rat Model

Abstract

Bidens pilosa (B. pilosa) and Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus) are plants used individually or in combination in the traditional treatment of several ailments such as cardiovascular disorders. In order to valorise their traditional use, a toxicological study was conducted on the aqueous extract of the mixture of aerial parts of B. pilosa and C. citratus. The acute and subchronic toxicity studies were conducted according to the OECD 425 and 407 guidelines. Regarding the acute study, the aqueous extract of the mixture of B. pilosa and C. citratus 50 : 50 (2000 and 5000 mg/kg) was administered once to rats of both sexes. In the subchronic study, the aqueous extract of the mixture of B. pilosa and C. citratus (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) was administered once daily to rats for 28 days. The aqueous extract of the mixture of B. pilosa and C. citratus (2000 and 5000 mg/kg) did not cause death and did not induce any apparent sign of toxicity during the 14 days of observation. The DL₅₀ of the extract is therefore greater than 5000 mg/kg. Taken daily for 28 days, the extract had no significant effect on selected parameters (creatinine, AST, ALT, urea, and uric acid) of renal and hepatic function, as well as on the number of some blood cells. However, the aqueous extract of the mixture of B. pilosa and C. citratus (200 and 400 mg/kg) caused a significant (p < 0.05; p < 0.001, respectively) decrease in creatinine levels in male rats as compared to normal control animals. In females, the aqueous extract of the mixture of B. pilosa and C. citratus (200 and 400 mg/kg) resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in total cholesterol levels as compared to normal control animals. The study showed that the aqueous extract of the mixture of B. pilosa and C. citratus has a low toxicity and does not cause any injury to the liver, kidney, lungs, or spleen.

Figure 1

Effects of the plant mixture aqueous extract on the relative organ weight of male (a) and female rats (b) and on the weight gain evolution of male (c) and female (d) rats in acute toxicity. Each bar and point represent the mean ± SEM, n = 3; TN = normal rats receiving distilled water (10 mL/kg); BC 2000 and BC 5000 = normal rats treated with the aqueous extract of the mixture of B. pilosa and C. citratus at doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg.

Figure 2

Effects of the plant mixture aqueous extract on the weight evolution of male (a) and female (b) rats in subchronic toxicity. Each point represents the mean ± SEM. n = 5. TN: normal rats receiving distilled water (10 mL/kg); TSAT: normal satellite observed 14 more days after stopping every treatment; BC 200, BC 400, and BC 800: animals receiving the aqueous extract of the mixture of B. pilosa and C. citratus at the respective doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg; SAT: satellite extract at the dose of 800 mg/kg observed 14 days after stopping every treatment. ^bp  <  0.01; ^cp  <  0.001: significant difference from normal controls.

Figure 3

Effects of the plant mixture aqueous extract on the microarchitecture of the liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs in female (a) and male (b) rats.