PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY AND SAFETY PROFLIE OF CLERODENDRUM SERRATUM

ABSTRACT

The present study was aimed to evaluate phytochemical constituents and the safety of aqueous and Methanolic extract of aerial parts of Clerodendrum serratum (AECS & MECS) by determining their potential toxicity after acute and 28- days repeated dose administration in Albino rats. The phytochemical analysis was done by standard laboratory grade reagents. Acute and 28-day repeated dose oral toxicity studies were performed by following OECD test guide lines 423 and 407 respectively. The present study reveals the presence of complex phytochemical constituents like flavonoids, carbohydrate, tannins, terpenoids and steroids. In acute toxicity study no treatment related death or toxic signs were observed with AECS and MECS administration. In repeated dose study no significant difference in haematological parameter were observed between control and AECS and MECS groups. Controversially there was a slight an increase in the bodyweight, serum cholesterol and protein and slightly reduce the ALP, AST, ALT, LDH and bilirubin in treated rats compared to control. No gross pathological and histopathological findings and difference in relative organs weight were observed between control and treated rats. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation shows the presence of various bioactive constituents. Acute toxicity study reveals that LD₅₀ of AECS and MECS is greater than 2000mg/kg. body weight (b. wt) in fasted female rats and can be classified and under category 5. The 28- day repeated oral toxicity study justified that the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of Clerodendrum serratum  (CS) is greater than 900mg/kg/b.wt/day/P.O in rats .There were no delayed effects in CS Satellite group. In conclusion CS was found to be non-toxic in tested dose and experimental conditions.

Key words: Clerodendrum serratum, Acute toxicity study, 28- day repeated toxicity study.