Acute toxicity of ethanol extracts of Gynura divaricata L. leaves on DDY mice

Gynura divaricata (L.) DC., a traditional medicinal herb, has been used for the treatment of many diseases such as bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, pertussis, toothache, rheumatic, arthralgia, uterine bleeding and diabetes in folk medicine. Despite its widespread use, studies on its toxicological characteristics are still very limited. The aim of this research is to observe the acute toxicity of ethanol extract of Gynura divaricata on Deutscland Denken Yoken (DDY) mice. The acute toxicity of ethanol extract of Gynura divaricata leaves was evaluated by giving it orally to DDY mice at single doses of 625, 1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg bodyweight. Animals were observed for mortality, body weight changes, macroscopic organ and relative organ weight for the next 14 days, and analyzed with ANOVA and Duncan post hoc test (p<0.05). The results shown ethanol extract of Gynura divaricata leaves did not caused deaths. The gross necropsy analysis did not reveal changes of the organs. Ethanol extract of Gynura divaricata also did not cause significant change in relative organ weight. In conclusions, ethanol extract of Gynura divaricata leaves acute administration were safe at the dose used ethnomedicinally and practically non-toxic. Higher doses may involve toxicological risks.