SUBTONIC TOXICITY STUDIES OF URARIA PICTA EXTRACT

ABSTRACT

Different plants have been investigated to have different toxicity levels. These toxicity investigations are determined by the administration of the plant extracts at different doses over a period of time. Uraria picta belonging to the family of leguminosae is a constituent of the most popular ayurvedic drug of India. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different doses of methanol extract of Uraria picta on HDL and LDL cholesterol levels. The leaves of Uraria picta were air-dried, grounded and soaked in methanol for 3 days. The methanol extract was then freeze dried. Animals were divided into five (5) groups of five (5) rats in each group: group 1 was administered 50mg/kg of the extract, group 2 was administered 300mg/kg of the extract, group 3 was administered 1000mg/kg of the extract, group 4 was administered 2000mg/kg of the extract and group 5 was the control group. Effects of these administered doses of the plant extract showed that there was a significant increase in LDL cholesterol levels except for UP1000mg/kg dose and no significant increase in HDL cholesterol levels except for 50mg/kg dose compared to the control group. This experiment showed that the plant extract was effective in increasing LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels were maintained when compared to the control.