Evaluation of oral toxicity and genotoxicity of Achyranthis Radix extract

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The root of Achyranthes bidentata Blume, Achyranthis Radix (AR), is used as a traditional medicine ingredient in East Asia. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-diabetic activities.

Aim of the study: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the oral toxicity and genotoxicity of single-dose and 4-week repeated-doses of AR hot water extract (ARE), under the good laboratory practice principles.

Materials and methods: For oral toxicity studies, SD rats (n = 5 per sex and group) were administered ARE at concentrations of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day once (single dose) or once per day for 4 weeks (repeated dose). The non-clinical genotoxicity study consisted of bacterial reverse mutation using Escherichia coli (WP2 uvrA) and Salmonella typhimurium (TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537), in vitro chromosomal aberration test with Chinese hamster lung cells (CHL/IU), and in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus test using bone marrow cells collected from male ICR mice (n = 5) that were orally administered ARE.

Results: In the single-dose oral toxicity study, mortality and treatment-related changes in body weight were not observed throughout the study, and the lethal dose was estimated to be > 2000 mg/kg in rats. In the 4-week repeated-dose oral toxicity study, ARE did not induce significant changes in body weight, organ weight, food intake, or hematological and serum biochemical parameters in any group. In the bacterial reverse mutation test, ARE did not induce gene mutations in any tested strain. In the chromosomal aberration test, ARE did not cause chromosomal aberrations. The micronucleus test showed no significant increase in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes or the mean ratio of polychromatic to total erythrocytes.

Conclusions: These results showed that ARE does not induce oral toxicity and genotoxicity in the in vivo and in vitro test systems.

Keywords: Achyranthis radix; Bacterial reverse mutation assay; Chromosomal aberration assay; Genotoxicity; Mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay; Oral toxicity.