Subchronic Toxicity Testing of Ethanol Extract of Red Betel Vine (Piper crocatum) Leaves in DDY Strain Mice

Abstract

Background: The red betel vine (Piper crocatum) is a plant that has potential as a medicinal plant. The use of medicinal plants should be tested for safety. Acute toxicity testing has been performed with safe results for consumption, but there is no known long-term effect on various organs.

Objective: To determine whether an ethanol extract of the red betel vine could be used safely on different parts of DDY mice.

Methods: The treatment of ethanol extract was performed orally every day by using a feeding tube with different doses in mice within 3 months. Those were divided into several groups, each consisting of 5 male and 5 female mice. The dosages used consisted of 50 mg/kgBW, 100 mg/kgBW, 200 mg/kgBW, and 400 mg/kgBW, with aquadest and solvent as controls. The treatment was done every day for 3 months. At the end of the study, the mice were terminated, and their organs were collected, which included the spleen, liver, kidney, heart, lungs, brain, testes, and ovaries.

Results: The results of this study show no significant difference compared to controls in all organs. There are liver changes from cloudy swelling degeneration and reversible hydropic degeneration, but the effect is reversible.

Conclusion: To conclude, long-term use of the red betel vine as a medicinal plant can be recommended for healthy people but not for people with a history of hepatic disorders.

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 08 No. 01 Jan’24 Page: 69-74