Effect of aqueous suspension of dried latex of Calotropis procera on hepatorenal functions in rat.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of dry latex (DL) of Calotropis procera, a plant of the family Asclepiadaceae, on the functions of liver and kidney in normal rats.

METHODS

Aqueous suspension of DL was orally administered to rats at doses of 10, 100 and 400 mg/kg for a period of 45 days and the effect on various parameters reflecting liver and kidney functions was compared with that of normal controls.

RESULTS

Treatment with DL did not alter the serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, urea and urinary levels of glucose and protein as compared to the normal rats. It exhibited a modulatory role in maintaining the levels of blood glucose and serum insulin. The liver and kidney of DL treated and normal rats were also comparable with regard to the tissue levels of oxidative stress markers and histology. Further, no signs of toxicity were observed in the DL treated rats over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reveals that aqueous suspension of Calotropis procera latex does not produce any toxicity and could be safely used for therapeutic purpose at the doses studied.