A Pharmacognostic and Pharmacological Overview on Caesalpinia

Toxicity Studies
ISSN: 0975-8585
Preeja G. Pillaia <strong>and</strong> P. Suresh reported evaluation of acute <strong>and</strong> sub-acute toxicity of
methanolic extract of Caesalpinia bonducella (L) Fleming was evaluated in Albino mice. The
acute toxicity studies were conducted as per the OECD guidelines420 where the limit test dose
of 2000mg/kg used. Observations were made <strong>and</strong> recorded after treatment at 2 hrs, 4 hrs, 8 hrs
<strong>and</strong> then for seven days regularly for respiration rate, heart rate, <strong>and</strong> behavioural signs like
apathy, reduced locomotor activity as well as licking. For the sub-acute toxicity, three groups of
6 mice were received distilled water (control), 200 <strong>and</strong> 400 mg/kg of extracts every 24 hr orally
for 28 days. No significant variation in the body <strong>and</strong> organ weights between the control <strong>and</strong> the
treated group was observed after 28 days of treatment. Hematological analysis <strong>and</strong> clinical
blood chemistry revealed no toxic effects of the extract. Pathologically, neither gross
abnormalities nor histo pathological changes were observed. No mortality was recorded in 28
days [75].
Kumar RS, et al., reported investigation deals with the hematology <strong>and</strong> hepatorenal
function of Caesalpinia bonducella Flem. <strong>and</strong> Bauhinia racemosa Lam. The tribal people of Kolli
Hills, Tamil Nadu, India, use the leaves of Caesalpinia bonducella <strong>and</strong> the stem bark of Bauhinia
racemosa in combination with some other herbs for the treatment of various tumors, liver
disorders, inflammation <strong>and</strong> some other diseases. In ancient Ayurveda medicine these plants
were mentioned to possess antitumor agents. Since there are no scientific reports regarding
the toxicological aspects of these plants, the present investigation deals with the sub-chronic
toxicity studies of a methanol extract of Caesalpinia bonducella (MECB) leaves <strong>and</strong> Bauhinia
racemosa (MEBR) stem bark in Swiss albino mice. The MECB <strong>and</strong> MEBR were administered
intraperitoneally to Swiss albino mice twice a week for thirteen weeks. No significant
alterations in hematological, biochemical <strong>and</strong> histopathological parameters were observed in
the MECB- <strong>and</strong> MEBR-treated groups at the doses of 100 <strong>and</strong> 200 mg/kg body weight.
Administration of MECB <strong>and</strong> MEBR at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight elevated the levels of
serum enzymes <strong>and</strong> altered the hematological parameters. Our results suggested that MECB
<strong>and</strong> MEBR at doses 100 <strong>and</strong> 200 mg/kg body weight did not induce any toxic effects in the mice.
Adverse effect was noted at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight [76].
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January – March 2012 RJPBCS Volume 3 Issue 1 Page No. 493