"Exploring the Safety profile: Acute and Sub-Acute Toxicity Profiling of Betula Utilis Bark Extract in Wistar Albino Rats"

The present study intends to investigate the acute and subacute toxicity of the hydro-methanolic extract of Betula utilis bark (BU-HME) in Wistar albino rats. The crude extract of Betula utilis was prepared by macerating the dried powdered bark in hydro-methanolic (1:1) solvent system. Acute toxicity study was conducted using single dosages of 250, 500 and 2000 mg/kg body weight, of the extract only once and in case of subacute toxicity testing, different doses in the range of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight were orally administered to the animals for a period of 28 days in accordance with the OECD guidelines. No significant changes were seen in the body weight, general behaviour, food and water intake or any signs of toxicity such as abnormalities, or mortalities in the treatment groups in comparison to the untreated control. Additionally, at the conclusion of 28 days study, the various biochemical, haematological and histopathological assessments showed no significant variations, indicating the absence of any sub chronic toxicity.  Thus, the study indicates that the medium-term oral administration of BU-HME does not produce any toxicity in rats providing evidence of its safety for both short- and long-term use.