Toxicological Effects of Red Onion Peel Aqueous Extract used for Eye-related Problems in Rats: In vivo Study

Background: The study was set up to investigate the toxicological effects of the aqueous extract of onion (Allium cepa L.) peel (OP) in rats, in vivo. Methods: A total of 30 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Acute oral toxicity was investigated using three different doses of OP, where the first group of rats was given distilled water and served as -ve control, the three rest groups given (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) of OP daily for 14 days orally. Rats were observed during the short term and the long term. On the 15th day, the rats were anesthetized with diethyl ether and blood samples were taken to evaluate hematological, biochemical, liver and kidney function. All main organs were collected in formalin and sent for histopathological investigations. Results: OP exhibited a significant increase in the time of anesthesia among the group admitted with the lowest dose (250 mg/kg). It showed a significant increase in lymphocyte levels. OP showed an elevation in all liver function parameters except, albumin level. The blood glucose level was reduced after OP extract treatment. No renal effects were observed. Furthermore, histopathological results showed normal results comparable to the untreated group, except mild inflammation was observed in the lung. Conclusions: We conclude that the dry onion peel aqueous extract was found to be free from any toxic effect on the rat’s main organs. However, it showed mild toxicity in the liver profile.