Genotoxicity and Organ Toxicity Assessment of Wistar Rats Treated with Croton joufra; a Traditionally Used Anthelmintic Medicinal Plant

Croton joufra is a well-established anthelmintic used in Assam, India. However, reports of its possible toxicity, genotoxic potentials and the phyto-compounds it possesses which could be the reason for its efficacy and toxicity are lacking. This study evaluates its toxic potentials in rodents treated with the extract for 28 days. In addition to blood biochemical and haematological parameters, the liver and kidney tissues were studied for any toxic effects. The presence of toxic heavy metals in the extract was also assessed. Treated animals showed an elevation in the neutrophil and RBC counts. Electron microscopy study of the liver revealed normal architecture in liver and kidney tissues. Elemental analysis showed high levels of cobalt (0.61 ± 0.04 mg/kg) which was above the permissible limits. However, genotoxicity assessment did not reveal any abnormalities. All the chromosomes appeared normal. GC-MS study revealed the presence of about 18 different compounds of which, Phytol, n-Hexadecanoic acid, 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, (Z,Z,Z)-, 2-(1-Cyclopentenyl)furan, Squalene were in abundance and these could be responsible for its efficacy and toxicity. The study reveals that C. joufra is capable of causing mild toxicity in its long-term use which could be attributed to the bioactive compounds present in it.