Toxicity profiling of the ethanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus seed in rats: behavioral, biochemical and histopathological aspects

Citrullus lanatus (Cucurbitaceae) is conventionally used for the treatment of urinary tract infection, renal stones, hypertension, diabetes and diarrhoea. Current study evaluates acute and 28 days repeated toxicity ethanolic extract of C. lanatus seed (EECLS) in Wistar rats to measure its safety profile. The single dose (2000 mg/kg BW) of EECLS was administered while in 28 days repeated study 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg BW were administered orally in rats. Parameters such as biochemical, haematological and histopathological were analysed in subacute toxicity study. During study, no apparent sign of toxicity, behavioural changes and mortality were detected in acutely exposed animals. In 28 days repeated toxicity study, rats did not show significant changes in behaviour, gross pathology, body weight, biochemical and haematological parameters. Abridged serum glucose and cholesterol levels during the study designate their roles in treatment of hyperglycaemic and hyperlipidaemic conditions. No significant difference was observed in histopathology of liver and kidneys of treated rats. The current investigation demonstrated that EECLS is non-toxic below 1000 mg/kg BW and provides protection to some body organs. The data propose that LD(50) of EECLS was greater than 2000 mg/kg BW and the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of EECLS was at the dose of 1000 mg/kg in rats. Taken together, our finding suggests that, EECLS is safe and provides some protection to body organs; also, its extract can be used for further preclinical and clinical evaluation for its therapeutic activity.