Acute and Sub-Acute Oral Toxicity Evaluation of Avicularin

Avicularin is a bioactive flavonoid that mainly found in blueberries, American cranberries, apples, and tea. Avicularin isolated from various plants including, Polygonum aviculare, Rhododendron aureum, and Taxillus kaempferi. Various preclinical studies already demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant activity and neuroprotective action of avicularin. Furthermore, avicularin is a promising phytoconstituent with wide range of therapeutic potential in a variety of diseases. Hence, a toxicity study is urgently needed so that the appropriate dose can be used in animal studies to demonstrate its potential effect. The main aim of this research article is to find out maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and to observe if there’s any sign of toxicity in avicularin administered animals. Acute toxicity study was conducted as per OECD guideline (TG 423), a single dose of 300, 2000, 5000 mg/kg was given and the study was carried out for 14 days. In acute toxicity study, animals did not show any mortality or changes in behavioural pattern. Hence, it was concluded that, the maximum tolerated dose of avicularin is more than 5000 mg/kg. In a repeated-dose toxicity study, we have followed OECD guideline (TG 407) and rats were treated with 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day for 28 days. In Repeated toxicity study, animal showed no differences in hematologic and biochemical parameters. Histopathologic examination of all organs revealed normal histology. Hence, we can conclude from the findings that repeated avicularin exposure at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg was determined to be safe in a 28-day toxicity study.