ACUTE ORAL TOXICITY OF A PHYTOGENIC TOXIN BINDER IN FEMALE WISTAR RATS (RATTUS NORVEGICUS)

Abstract

Phytogenic toxin binders are being developed as alternatives to clay adsorbents for controlling aflatoxicosis in poultry, but each new preparation requires basic safety assessment before use. This study evaluated the acute oral toxicity of a polyherbal toxin binder prepared from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), neem (Azadirachta indica), keelanelli (Phyllanthus niruri), turmeric (Curcuma longa), tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale). The limit test described in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Test Guideline 423 was used. Female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) received a single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight in two sequential steps of three animals each and were observed for 14 days. Body weight was recorded on Days 0, 7 and 14, and gross necropsy was performed at the end of the observation period. No mortality, clinical signs of toxicity or behavioural changes were observed. All animals gained weight, with mean increases of 4.33% and 4.50% in the first and second steps, respectively. No gross lesions were observed in the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, spleen or gastrointestinal tract. The acute oral LD50 cut-off was greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight; the preparation was not classified in GHS acute toxicity Categories 1–4 at the tested dose, with optional Category 5 applicability depending on the classification system adopted. The findings indicate low acute oral toxicity in rats. Repeated-dose toxicity testing and tolerance trials in chickens are required before efficacy evaluation against aflatoxicosis.