EVALUATION OF ACUTE AND DERMAL TOXICITY OF ESSENTIAL OIL OF ETLINGERA FENZLII (KURZ) K. SCHUM: AN IN VIVO STUDY

摘要

Objective: The present investigation describes the in vivo acute toxicity and dermal toxicity of essential oil of Etlingera fenzlii ( E. fenzlii ) in Wistar albino rats. Methods: The essential oil was extracted by hydro-distillation using Clevenger apparatus. The acute toxicity study was conducted in Wistar albino rats at different doses (175,550 and 2000 mg/kg) while dermal toxicity study was carried out with simple ointment base and essential oil at a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. Animals were observed for 14 d and parameters like body weight, feed intake and water intake were studied. Results: No mortality and no significant changes were observed in body weight and wellness parameters at 175,550 and 2000 mg/kg body weight doses. Further, the dermal absorption with essential oil also did not reveal any treatment-related changes in body weight, food consumption and water intake in any of the animals tested. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the acute and dermal application of the essential oil of E. fenzlii in rats did not divulge any significant toxicity, and the oil extracts were found to be safe up to 2000 mg/kg in vivo concentration. Keywords: Etlingera fenzlii , Acute toxicity, Dermal toxicity, Median Lethal Dose (LD 50 )