Acute Toxicity Test of Pigeon Pea Leaves Extract (Cajanus cajan) in Rats

¹ Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University), IPB Darmaga Campus-Bogor 16880, Indonesia.
² Department of Clinic, Reproduction, and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University), IPB Darmaga Campus-Bogor 16880, Indonesia.
³ Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University), IPB Darmaga Campus-Bogor 16880, Indonesia.

^* Corresponding author: tutikwr@gmail.com

Abstract

Acute toxicity test was conducted to evaluate the safety level of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) leaves extract, using the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD 423) guideline method. The pigeon pea leaves were extracted using 96%ethanol as a solvent. A total of 9 male rats were used divided into 3 groups: 1 control group and 2 treatment groups. The rat in control group (group 1) received a single dose of distilled water while the rat in groups 2 and 3 received a single dose of pigeon pea leaves extract at doses of 300 mg/kg BW and 2000 mg/kg BW, respectively. The aquadest and extract suspension were administered orally using rat stomach tubedos. Mortality and clinical signs were examined in the first 4 hours (critical time), 24 hours, and 14 days after the treatments. The result revealed that the LD₅₀ values of the extract was estimated at more than 5000 mg/kg BW and classified as practically nontoxic.