Safety investigation on total steroid saponins extracts from Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H. Wright: Sub-acute and chronic toxicity studies on dogs

摘要

Abstract Sub-acute and chronic toxic effects of total steroidal saponins (TSSN) extracts from Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H. Wright on various internal organs and biochemical indicators have never been studied before and this study is the first of its kind to demonstrate sub-acute and chronic toxicities of TSSN on dogs. Administration of TSSN extracts at doses up to 3000?mg/Kg daily for 14 days, no biochemical and organ changes were observed on the experimental groups of dogs. Further, chronic toxicity study through oral administration of TSSN extracts at the gradual doses of 50, 250 and 500?mg/Kg for 90 days followed by a 2-week recovery assay revealed absence of significant architectural and morphological changes in internal organs which were confirmed through histopathological examination and merely no significant alteration in the biochemical indicators including hematologic and urine analysis and electrocardiogram compared to the control dogs. This toxicological evaluation came across with the finding that the herbal preparation can be considered as nontoxic and animals could tolerate the extracts at doses up to 500?mg/Kg with LD 50 greater than 3000?mg/Kg. It may serve as a preliminary scientific evidence for further therapeutic investigations. Graphical abstract Display Omitted Highlights ? Total steroid saponins from Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H. Wright reveal bioactivities. ? The sub-acute and chronic toxicity studies of TSSN were investigated on dog animals. ? The LD 50 was calculated greater than 3000?mg/Kg. ? No toxic appearance was observable after examining the corresponding parameters.