International Journal of Medical Toxicology & Legal Medicine

This study was carried out to determine the acute and subacute toxicities of ether extract of Persea americana seed in rats. Acute toxicity study was conducted by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of graded doses of seed extract of the plant. The i.p. LD₅₀ was found to be 751.6 ± 98.6 (S.E) mg/kg body weight. For subacute toxicity study, a daily i.p. treatments by P. americana seed extract for 14 days with doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg b.w. caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in food consumption, body weight, blood glucose, hemoglobin and hepatic cholesterol. Whereas, serum creatinine, uric acid, total protein and total bilirubin were not significantly altered. Histopathological examinations of the liver and kidney at the end of the study (14 days) showed normal architecture suggesting no morphological disturbances induced by the seed extract in these organs. In conclusion, acute toxicity study showed a relatively low LD₅₀ for P. americana seed extract. A daily treatment of rats with seed extract for 14 days decreased food consumption, body weight, blood glucose, hemoglobin and hepatic cholesterol levels. Serum creatinine, uric acid, total protein and total bilirubin were not significantly altered.