Abstract

LAGARTO, Alicia; COURET, Micaela; GUERRA, Isbel  and  LOPEZ, Raisell. Acute oral toxicity and irritation tests in aqueous hydroalcoholic extracts from Momordica charantia L.. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2008, vol.13, n.3, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1028-4796.

Rationale: Momordica charantia L. extracts have scientifically-endorsed therapeutical potentialities that make the use of this plant possible in several diseases, mainly for diabetes, so characterizing its toxic potential is of great significance to support this plant as a therapeutical agent. Objectives: to conduct acute oral toxicity and ocular and dermal irritation studies on aqueous hydroalcoholic extracts from M. charantia, with the aim of characterizing its acute toxicological potential. Methods: Acute oral toxicity test was applied to female Wistar rats through acute toxic class method, with maximum dose of 2000 mg/kg. Ocular/dermal irritation tests were made in New Zealand rabbits, following the described methods in OECD standards 404 and 405. Results: the evaluation of M. charantia hydroalcoholic extract in the acute toxicity test showed toxic signs due to ethanol in the extract and a minimum bodyweight reduction that was not significant. The administration of water extract elicited neither toxic signs nor mortality. Both extracts were classified into category 5 within the range of toxicity of DL₅₀> 2 000 mg/kg. The dermal/ocular irritation test indicated that the studied extracts were not irritating. Conclusions: The evaluated extracts showed low acute toxic potential for both oral and topical administration.

Keywords : Momordica charantia; acute toxicity; dermal irritation; ocular irritation; medicinal plants.

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