Acute Toxicity Study of Hexane Extract of Sodhita Semecarpus anacardium L. Drupe in Wistar Albino Rats and its Prediction Using In-Silico Tool

Abstract

Semecarpus anacardium L. belongs to the family Anacardiaceae. Its drupe is widely used in Ayurvedic formulations after sodhana processing as it is listed under Schedule E1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940. In this study, sodhita Semecarpus anacardium L. drupe was extracted with n-hexane and the yield was found to be 56%. The extract was subjected to GCMS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) analysis and its characteristics were studied using an in silico tool. Acute oral and dermal toxicity studies were performed on the Wistar albino rats as per the OECD 425 and 402 guidelines respectively. The GCMS data revealed the presence of C₁₃H₁₈O₃ (m/z: 222.1) with an abundance of 93.63%. The compound was predicted as potentially hazardous with a probable mutagenic category of ICH M7 class 3. An oxirane functional group of the compound was predicted to cause potent irritation properties to the eyes and skin with positive scores of 0.76 and 0.57 respectively. The LD₅₀ was found to be more than the limit dose of 2000mg/kg body weight upon oral administration. Acute dermal exposure at a limited dose of 2000mg/kg body weight did not cause mortality. However, inflammatory responses started appearing within 48 hours of exposure. Histopathology revealed mild dermal oedema, mild fibrosis, dilated follicles hyperplasia etc. No changes were found in haematological parameters. Inflammation and dermal allergic reactions were completely self-healed by the end of 14 days. The results suggest that the oil portion of the sodhita drupe possesses the irritant properties of the Semecarpus anacardium. It might be due to the presence of the compound C₁₃H₁₈O₃ with Oxirane as a functional group.