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Acalypha hispida Burm.f. is commonly used as an ornamental plant known for pharmacological effects. The nanoscale extract increases bioavailability and bioactivity. This research aimed to produce and characterize nanopowder extract of A. hispida leaves. Powdered leaves were macerated in 96% ethanol, then was evaporated in the spry dryer. Nanopowder extract was produced using planetary ball milling at 5000 rpm in different milling times, namely 5 minutes (nanopowder A), 10 minutes (nanopowder B), and 40 minutes (nanopowder C). The nanopowder extracts were evaluated using a particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscope, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The average particle size of A. hispida crude extract was 1271 nm, and nanopowder A, B, and C respectively were 837.1 nm, 803.8, and 512.2 nm. The polydispersity index of A. hispida crude extract, nanopowder A, B, and C were 0.754, 0.696, 0.717, dan 0.612. The milling process for 40 minutes reduced the content of 5% gallic acid and 10.3% catechin. The SEM image of nanopowder C was smaller than crude extract. The best average particle size of nanopowder C (512.2 nm) and polydispersity index (0.612) were produced using PBM for 40 minutes at 5000 rpm.

This research aims to evaluate the safety of ethanolic extract of Acalypha hispida (A. hispida) leaves with acute toxicity test using 15 female rats strain Sprague-Dawley. A single dose of different doses of extract (2, 4, 8, and 16 g/kg body weight) was administrated orally, and theobservation was conducted for 14 days. The results revealed that the ethanolic extract of A. hispida leaves was relatively harmless (LD50 16 g/kg BW), did not affect body weight, and did not show clinical signs of toxicity during the observation periods. The parameters of blood serumbiochemistry of all extract-treated groups (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and urea) did not change significantly  compared to the control group. The histological observation of the liver showed a significant increase in eosinophilic cytoplasm and basophilic nuclei at all doses. However, the ethanolic extract of A. hispida leaves did not significantly affect glomerulus/Bowman’s capsule ratio, glomerular cell density, and the proportion of normal cell tubule. In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of A. hispida leaves was relatively harmless with LD5016 g/kg BW and seems to be safe in low doses (2 g/kg BW).

Nanotechnology has rapidly grown in various research fields, including phytomedicine to treat oxidative stress in diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the nanoextract of Acalypha hispida leaves on antioxidant defense and microstructure of the liver and kidney in diabetic rats. A total of 24 rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 4): normal rats, diabetic rats, and diabetic rats treated with metformin at 88 mg/kg, extract at 300 mg/kg, and nanoextract at 30 and 60 mg/kg body weight (BW). BW, blood biochemistry (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, and creatinine), total superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (Cat), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated. Histomorphological and immunohistochemical (Cu, Zn-SOD) analyses were observed in the liver and kidney. The extract and nanoextract of A. hispida improved blood biochemistry in diabetic rats. Both decreased MDA level and increased total SOD and Cat activity in the liver and kidney of diabetic rats. Cu, Zn-SOD contents of the liver and kidney in the extract and nanoextract-treated diabetic were higher than in the diabetic control. The nanoextract at 60 mg/kg BW showed the best effect in suppressing microstructure damage to the liver and kidney. The study concluded that the nanoextract of A. hispida leaves increased antioxidant defense and suppressed microstructure damage in the liver and kidney of diabetic rats.

Strychnos ligustrina extract and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine phosphate (SL+DHP) may increase antimalarial potential. However, no research reported the toxic effect of SL+DHP. Therefore, this study investigated the subchronic toxicity of SL+DHP in male and female mice for 28 days. Subchronic toxicity tests were using National Agency of Drug and Food Control test guidelines. Mortality, bodyweight, and relative organ weight were measured. Blood samples were analyzed for hematological and biochemical parameters. Organs were examined for histopathological analysis. The highest mortality in mice was because of high doses (800 + 333 mg/kg BW) in male and female mice. The high dose significantly decreased body weight for 28-day treatments but increased after stopping administration for 2 weeks. The relative organ weight showed a significant change in the kidney, brain, and gonad of treatment groups, but its change was a recovery in satellite groups. Strychnos ligustrina extract+DHP in the high dose significantly changed the hematological and biochemical parameters of treatment groups, but these changes recovered in male and female mice of satellite groups. Histopathological examination revealed that S. ligustrina extract+DHP had a strong toxic effect in the kidney and caused ulcer compared to other organs. Subchronic toxicity of SL+DHP for 28 days was safe in low doses (200 + 111 mg/kg BW). Medium doses (400 + 222 mg/kg BW) and high doses (800 + 333 mg/kg BW) showed a toxic effect but recovered after stopping administration for 2 weeks.