Assessment of subacute toxicity, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the ethanolic extract from Croton blanchetianus Baill. leaves

A previous study demonstrated that the ethanolic extract of Croton blanchetianus Baill. leaves did not show acute toxicity in mice when administered orally. The present study aimed to evaluate the subacute toxicity of this extract via oral administration in mice over 2 or 4 weeks. Additionally, the extract was assessed for its anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities. Daily oral administration of the ethanolic extract of C. blanchetianus leaves for 2 and 4 weeks at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg did not result in mortality or induce significant behavioral changes in male and female mice. An increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase levels was observed in the 500 and 1000 mg/kg treatments over both 2 and 4 weeks. Histological analysis showed no changes in the liver and spleen but a reduction in the Bowman’s space of renal glomeruli was observed in the 1000 mg/kg treatment. The extract exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, reducing paw edema volume by 34.07 %, 39.72 %, and 58.27 % at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively. The extract at 200 mg/kg also showed antipyretic activity in a fever model induced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In conclusion, the extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities, encouraging further studies on this plant; however, the results indicate the need for caution regarding dosage and prolonged use.