In vivo Toxicity Assessment of Hyptis suaveolens Extract: Hemato-biochemical and Histological Investigation

Abstract

The present study assessed the toxicological impact of Hyptis suaveolens leaf extract on liver and kidney functions in albino rats using standardized procedures. Following a two-week acclimatization period, sixteen rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=4 per group). Group 1 served as the control, receiving only the vehicle (normal saline), while Groups 2 to 4 were administered H. suaveolens extract at doses of 400 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg, and 1200 mg/kg body weight respectively for 14 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected via intracardiac puncture for the determination of plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, urea, creatinine, and proline using commercially available assay kits. Liver and kidney tissue homogenates were also analyzed for biochemical parameters. Histopathological evaluation revealed moderate sinusoidal dilation with normal hepatocytes and mild inflammatory cell infiltration at 400 mg/kg. At 600 mg/kg, mild hepatic architectural distortion with ballooning of hepatocytes, necrosis, and karyolysis was observed. Interestingly, rats treated with 1200 mg/kg exhibited liver morphology similar to that of the control. Kidney histology showed mild tubular injury at 400 mg/kg, increased tubular inflammation and reduced Bowman’s capsules at 600 mg/kg, and severe tubular damage with loss of functional nephrons at 1200 mg/kg. Overall, administration of H. suaveolens leaf extract at the tested doses did not result in severe organ damage.