Acute and subacute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Amaranthus viridis (Amaranthaceae) leaves in rats

Abstract

Amaranthus viridis is a plant of the family Amaranthaceae, used by traditional medicine in the treatment of several diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicological activities of A. viridis. To assess these activities, two types of test were performed: Acute and subacute toxicity test. Phytochemical analysis performed on the aqueous extract of A. viridis revealed the presence of polyphenol, flavonoids, tannins, sterolpolyterpenes, Saponosids, cardiac glycosides, traces of alkaloids and leucoanthocyanines. The aqueous extract of Amaranthus viridis showed no evidence of single dose toxicity (2000 mg/kg) when studying acute toxicity. The subacute toxicity study of the aqueous extract of A. viridis at doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg showed no signs of toxicity on biochemical, hematological or histological parameters. The results showed that A. viridis does not cause toxicity at the doses studied