Acute and subacute toxicity assessment of an aqueous extract of Crotalaria retusa (Fabaceae) in Swiss mice and Wistar rats

The present study is a contribution to the enhancement of Ivorian traditional medicine, by carrying out bio-tolerance tests of an aqueous extract of the aerial parts of Crotalaria retusa (EACr) in mice and rats according to the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 423 and 407, respectively. The doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg of body weight (BW) of the extract were used for acute toxicity. For subacute toxicity which lasted 28 days, doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg BW have been used. The administration of the single doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg BW of EACr did not provoke death in female mice in the acute toxicity setting. For subacute toxicity in rats (male and female), the administration of repetitive doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg BW of EACr over a period of 28 days did not cause death in these animals. In females, these doses caused weight loss and a decrease in platelets. The extract reduced the activity of AST in both sexes of rats. The findings also showed that this extract would possess a nephroprotective property in male and female rats. Keywords: Crotalaria retusa, Acute and subacute toxicities, Wistar rat, Swiss mice