Acute toxicity, haematological and histopathological assessment of the ethanolic extract of Lantana camara leaf

Abstract

Lantana camara is a noxious weed. This study was conducted to investigate the acute toxicity of the ethanol macerate of Lantana camara Linn. leaf in albino rats. Assessment of haematological and histological parameters of major organs following administration of the extract was undertaken. Lorke’s method was used for the acute oral toxicity testing. Haematological parameters; whole and differential blood cell counts were determined using automated haematology analyzer. Histological examination of major organs was done using John D Bancroft manual method. The LD50 was found to be greater than 5,000 mg/kg body weight of the rats. The white blood cells, red blood cells, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, platelet, and differential cell counts of the albino rats were found to be within normal ranges for rats. Histological organization of the kidney and liver of treated rats at high doses showed structural changes typical of adaptive responses to pathologic stimuli. The results from this study suggest that the seventy percent ethanol macerate of L. camara Linn. leaf can be used with some degree of safety for short period of time via oral route.