Acute Dermal Toxicity Study of Acacia concinna Pods Extract in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Acacia concinna is abundantly available in southern Asian rainforests. The fruits of this plant were employed as cleansing agents in various herbal shampoos and used as an expectorant in traditional treatment. The pods of this plant contain acacic acid based saponins. The plant holds the surfactant property due to the presence of saponins it is ideal to use in skin and transdermal preparations. However, details of the dermal toxicity of Acacia concinna pods are still not reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo acute dermal toxicity of Acacia concinna pods extract at a dose of 2,000 mg/kg body weight in Wistar rats. According to OECD Guidelines 402 for acute toxicity protocols, the acute dermal toxicity of Acacia concinna pods extract was examined in rats. To determine the median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract, the body weight, likelihood of death, general indications, and behavior activity measures were monitored over the course of 14 days. All the animals in the treatment group were euthanized at the end of the study. The LD50 was found to be >2,000 mg/kg body weight. There was a significant weight increase (p<0.05). No mortality was recorded in 14 days study period. A single dose of 2000 mg/kg of body weight didn't produce any toxic signs in the study animals. A single dermal dose of Acacia concinna pods extract had no toxic effects like mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, and gross findings in female rats at a dose of 2000 mg/kg of body weight. Subsequently, the preparation can be used as a natural surfactant or excipient in pharmaceutical dosage forms.