Acute and Subacute Toxicity Study of Trigonella foenum-graecum.L Seed Extract in Wistar Rat

Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella-foenum-graecum.L) seeds are commonly utilized in cuisine as spices, in the traditional treatment and in the prevention of various troubles.  This study attempts to assess the acute and subacute toxicity of its extract in wistar rats.  In the acute toxicity, single oral administration of four doses (0,05 g, 0,3 g, 2 g and 5 g /kg.bw) to wistar rats was tested and to test subacute toxicity, quotidian oral administration of fenugreek seed extract at dosages of 1, 2 and 3 g/kg.bw was used for 28 days.  The results of acute toxicity did not show any deaths and no indication of intoxication was observed in the rats for 14 days following receipt of the various doses of the extract. The subacute toxicity results demonstrated that repeated administration of the extract led to a significant weight gain (p<0.05) in treated rats in comparison to control rats. Treatment of rats with fenugreek seed extract did not cause any signs of intoxication and did not affect the hematological parameters of the rats compared to control rats (p>0.05). Gross examination revealed that the appearance of vital organs was not altered and histological examination revealed steatosis and an increase in the nuclei of hepatocytes in rats given a repeated dose of 3 g /kg of fenugreek seed extract. Fenugreek seeds extract is generally tolerated by rats even at high doses but more care should be taken at chronic use.