Phytochemical Profiling and Acute Oral Toxicity Study of Hydro-ethanolic Extract of Whole Plant of Artemisia annua in Wistar Albino Rat

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the phytochemical constituents, and acute oral toxicity assessment of the hydro-ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Artemisia annua (family Asteraceae), a plant contains several pharmacologically active compounds, the most prominent being artemisinin, a hydrophobic sesquiterpene lactone responsible for its potent antiparasitic effects. Methodology:  In the present study, whole-plant material of A. annua was procured, authenticated, and processed into fine powder using a pulverizer. The powder was subjected to cold hydro-ethanolic maceration technique, and the resulting extract was evaporated and stored in airtight vials for subsequent phytochemical analyses and acute oral toxicity assessment. Results: Hydro-ethanolic extraction yielded 6.45% crude extractability, indicating efficient recovery of phytochemicals under the extraction conditions. The extract was greenish-brown, solid and sticky, bitter in taste, and pleasant in odour, consistent with known organoleptic characteristics of A. annua extracts. Qualitative phytochemical screening of extracts prepared in twelve different solvents revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, sterols, sesquiterpene lactones, reducing sugars, glycosides, and phenolics, reflecting a broad spectrum of bioactive constituents. These compounds, particularly sesquiterpene lactones, contribute to the plant’s documented antiparasitic activity against Theileria, Babesia, Trypanosoma, Eimeria, and gastrointestinal nematodes, highlighting its importance in veterinary parasitology. Acute oral toxicity study of the hydro-ethanolic extract was assessed in Wistar albino rats following OECD guideline 420. Rats received 300, 2000, and 5000 mg/kg body weight of hydro-ethanolic extract of A. annua and were observed for 14 days. No mortality, behavioural abnormalities, or clinical signs of toxicity were observed at any dose. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that the hydro-ethanolic extract of A. annua is non-toxic and well-tolerated, supporting its safe use and potential as a natural antiparasitic agent in veterinary medicine.