Assessment of Toxicological Effect of Lactuca serriola L. in Sprague-Dawley Rat

This study aimed to assess the toxicity level of the alcoholic extract of Lactuca serriole. L. A total of thirty mature male rats were used. The animals were categorized into five distinct groups: Group 1, referred to as the control negative group, did not receive any treatment. Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5, known as the treatment groups, were given different dosages of Lactuca extract through gavage. The dosages administered were 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/bw, respectively. This treatment was carried out for 14 days. Cardiac blood samples were collected, followed by biochemical testing. Tissue sections from the kidney, liver, and spleen were prepared for H&E staining. There was no notable disparity in body weight between the treated groups and the control group. However, there was a substantial enhancement in the reduction of white blood cells (WBCs) and lymphocytes in the groups that received a maximum dosage of Lactuca. In addition, Lactuca significantly increased the thrombocyte differential count, all blood lipid indicators, and liver enzyme markers compared to the control group. The rats who received doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg/bw exhibited significant histopathological damage in their liver, kidney, and spleen. In contrast, the rats given doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/bw had normal organ structures. These findings may provide new and valuable information about the safe dosage range (100-400) of phenolic compounds from Lactuca that can be used in experiments with animals.