Safety Assemment of Centella asiatica in albino rats

Aim: Present study was designed to assess the safety levels of Centella asiatica (aerial pars) after 30 days oral administration in albino rats. Materials & Methods: Control group (I) received distilled water and test groups (II, III and IV) received graded dosage of 250, 500, 1,000 mg/kg. b.wt orally respectively for a period of 30 days. Changes in body weight were recorded at 10 days interval. On 32nd day blood samples were collected and the whole blood was used for hematological studies, DNA fragmentation assay and marker enzymes levels were assessed in serum. The vital tissues (Liver, Kidney, Heart, Spleen, and Brain) were dissected out and utilized for viability assay (Trypan blue dye exclusion test), evaluation of apoptosis (fluorescence microscopy) and histopathological studies. Results: Group III and IV animals showed a significant increase in serum biomarkers (AST, ALT, BUN, Creatinine) and apoptotic index. There was statistically significant decrease in viability count in treatment groups in comparison to the control group. Histopathology also revealed a significant hepatic damage and a moderate degree of changes in the renal tissue. Conclusion: Based on the above observations it was concluded that the administration of Centella asiatica ©1,000 mg/kg b.wt for a period of 30 days may cause a significant damage to liver tissue in rats. Significance & Impact of the study: This study signifies the organ specific toxicity of Centella asiatica.