ACUTE TOXICITY STUDY OF OCIMUM SANCTUM

Abstract

Ocimum sanctum is an annual plant, 30  60 cm high, much branched; stem and branches usually purplish, sub-quadrangular; leaves 2.5 5 by 1.6 3.2cm, elliptic oblong-obtuse, pubescent on both side and minutely gland dotted. Flowers are in racemes. It is commonly found in India and used in many traditional medicines. Acute toxicity studies of leaves powder of this plant material were carried out as per OECD guideline in Swiss mice weighing 25 to 35 gm by administering a dose 3, 5 and 7gm/kg body weight orally in the form of aqueous slurry. The groups were almost continuously observed for mortality and behavioral changes during first 24 hr and then daily for a fortnight. The observations of changes in body weight, food and water intake as well as cage side observations were reported. There was no abnormality observed in any of these three groups. The whole plant powder was found to be nontoxic.