Evaluation of acute toxicity and intestinal transit time ofOlax scandensRoxb. leaves.
BACKGROUND
Olax scandensRoxb. is a shrub or small tree found throughout tropical India. Fruits and leaves of this plant are used for medicinal and food purpose. Traditionally, leaves ofO. scandensare used as vegetable in constipation.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the acute toxicity and intestinal transit time ofO. scandensleaves on experimental animals.


METHODS
Acute oral toxicity study for sample was carried out following OECD guidelines. Evaluation of intestinal transit time was carried out in the dose of 1300 mg/kg by adopting Kaolin expulsion test and latency of the onset of kaolin expulsion in fecal matter in mice.


RESULTS
The results show that the test drug is not likely to produce any toxicity in higher dose. In kaolin expulsion test, the drug produced mild increase in intestinal motility in mice proved by fast clearance of kaolin pellet in comparison to control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The leaves ofO. scandensare safe at higher dose and showed mild laxative activity in the dose of 1300 mg/kg body weight of mice.
Department of Dravyaguna, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
Raghavendra
R
Naik
Department of Dravyaguna, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
Rabinarayan
R
Acharya
Department of Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
Mukesh B
MB
Nariya
Department of Agada Tantra, Mahatma Jyotiba Fule Medical College of Ayurveda, Chomu, Rajasthan, India.
Sneha D
SD
Borkar
Acute toxicity; Badru; Olax scandens; constipation; intestinal transit