Subacute Oral Toxicity Assessment of Oxalis corniculata in Mice

Background: Oxalis corniculata L. plant found to be toxic to livestock once they eaten a huge quantity of plant, however very scanty information is available on toxicities of O. corniculata in livestock as well as in experimental animals. Methods: Subacute oral toxicity study of O. corniculata was evaluated @ 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt. by oral gavage for 28 days. General performance, hematobiochemical profile and histopathological alterations were evaluated. Result: No abnormal behavior was observed in any of the groups. Significant decreased feed consumption and body weight was observed in high dose treated group. There was significant dose dependent decrease in Hb, MCV, MCHC, TLC and lymphocyte count and increase in PCV, TEC and neutrophil. Serum AST, ALT, creatinine and BUN increased significantly and serum calcium, phosphorous, total protein, albumin and globulin decreased significantly in high dose group. Liver and kidney showed dose dependent alterations, degeneration suggested dose depending hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.