Toxicity Assessment of Ethanol Extract of Lygodium microphyllum

Lygodium microphyllum is an invasive plant with various pharmacological activities, butinformation on its toxicity is limited. Therefore, this study aims to determine the toxic effects ofacute oral administration of- ethanol extract of Lygodium microphyllum (ELM) in mice. Femalemice (n = 30) were divided into six groups, namely; Negative control (KN), ELM 1 (300 mg/kgBW), ELM 2 (625 mg/kg BW), ELM 3 (1250 mg/kg BW), ELM 4 (2500 mg/kg BW), and ELM5 (5000 mg/kg BW). ELM was administered as a single oral dose. The number of deaths, andsigns of toxicity were observed at 30, 60, 120, 180, 240 min, then every 24 h for 14 days. Bodyweights were measured every 2 days for 14 days. On day 15, the mice were sacrificed and vitalorgans were harvested for the measurement of organ index. Histological examination of the liverwas done according to standard procedure. No death and no sign of toxicity was recorded in themice within 14 days following ELM administeration. The body weights of the mice did notchange significantly (p > 0.05) after ELM administeration. There were no significant differencesin the relative organ indices of the kidneys, stomach, heart, lungs, brain, intestines, and liveramong the various groups. Histological examination of the liver showed mild to moderatechanges in liver architecture following treatment with ELM. Overall, ELM may be regarded aspractically non-toxic (LD50 > 5000 mg/kg BW), and relatively safe on acute oral administration.