A subchronic oral toxicity study of Salacia reticulata extract powder in rats

The safety of Salacia plant (Salacia reticulata) extract powder, which is used in Ayurvedic medical practices, was studied in a dose range-finding subchronic toxicity study in Crl:CD Sprague–Dawley rats. Male and female rats were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups and were treated by oral gavage with 0, 10, 65, and 400 mg/kg body weight/day of the powder for 91 days. Body weight, food consumption, and clinical signs were assessed during the treatment period. Urinalysis, hematology, blood chemistry, and organ weights were determined one day after the final treatment. The animals were euthanized at the end of the treatment and were examined for necropsy and histopathological purposes. No adverse toxicity was observed in the Salacia powder-treated groups with a No Observed Adverse Effect Level of ≧400 mg/kg body weight/day in both male and female SD rats.