Experimental researches on acute toxicity of a Bidens tripartita extract in mice - preliminary investigations

Plants take up an important place in traditional medicine and scientific research confirmed properties about their use as alternative therapy. Bidens tripartita, commonly known as Three-lobe Beggarticks, Three-part Beggarticks, Trifid Bur-marigold, is a flowering plant in the genus Bidens, family Compositae, subfamily Asteroideae. Evaluation of the chemical composition of this plant has revealed the presence of flavonoids, xanthophylls, volatile oil, acetylene and polyacetylene, sterols, aurones, chalcones, caffeine and tannins. Theoretical data investigation regarding Bidens tripartita plant and experimental researches on acute toxicity of an original extract in mice. The vegetal product of Bidens tripartita used for study was obtained by maceration and extraction in alcohol, and its chemical composition was determined. Acute toxicity of the alcoholic extract of Bidens tripartita was assessed by median lethal dose (LD50) calculation, using a limit dose test of up- and- down procedure at a limit dose of 2000mg/kbw after intraperitoneal administration in mice. In the alcoholic extract of Bidens tripartita different active principles were identified: tannins, anthracene derivatives, triterpenes, coumarins, antocyanosides. The toxicity of plant product was evaluated by different characteristic signs for the mouse which can be retained as toxicity elements of the extract. Using the intraperitoneal route, the animals showed dose-dependent signs of toxicity, ranging from lack of appetite, depression, immobility and respiratory distress to death. Single-dose intraperitoneal LD50 value of the alcoholic Bidens tripartita extract in mice was 4038 mg/kg. No macroscopic changes were seen in the organs of mice that died following extract administration. Histopathological lesions were not found in all examined organs. The obtained LD50 value classifies the study plant extract as slightly toxic according to Hodge and Sterner toxicity scale. We determined the low toxic dose at a rate of 4038 mg of body weight for the alcoholic extract of this medicinal plant. These results suggest that the alcoholic extract of Bidens tripartita is relatively safe toxicologically when administered intraperitoneally, and this product could be used with some degree of safety to continue the investigation for in vivo biocompatibility evaluation.