Acute toxicological evaluation of pet – ether extract of Portulaca oleracea (Linn.) on rodents

Introduction: Portulaca oleracea are a common plant used in South Indian culinary; recently there is increase in research publication on various biological activities of the medicinal herb. The safety of the medicinal herb well accounted by its widespread accepted use of natives yet scientific evaluation on the safety of the herb is not reported. Aim: To scientifically evaluate the toxicity profile of the pet – ether extract of Portulaca oleracea by standardized methods. Method: A 24hour acute toxicity study followed by 14 day sub-acute toxicity study with serum haematological, biochemical and histopathological analysis’s is evaluated in rodents. Result: No observable serious side effects are recorded in acute and sub acute toxicity study for 0.5gm/kg and 1gm/kg pet-ether extract of Portulaca oleracea. There are statistically significant rising (p<0.01) in haemoglobin by 13.25%, 15.42% and 15.04% in Portulaca oleracea 0.5gm, 1gm, and 2gm/kg body weight respectively when compared to control 10.56%. Portulaca oleracea 2gm/kg dose administration for 14 days has revealed oxalate crystal deposits in the kidney. Conclusion: The pet –ether extracts of Portulaca oleracea 0.5gm, 1gm, and 2gm/kg exhibited zero mortality rates in both acute and sub-acute toxicity studies and found to increase haemoglobin, total cholesterol levels in serum which can be seriously evaluated for further research.