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EVALUATION OF ACUTE TOXICITY PROPERTIES OF YARROW AND COMMON
OAK PLANT EXTRACTS
Qurambayeva D.G., Karayeva N.Y.,
Yo’ldosheva Sh.S
, Rahimova M.A.
¹Tashkent Pharmaceutical Institute, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
Makhmudov L.U.
²Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy
of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
Abstract:
Nowadays, preparations made from medicinal plant raw materials are being studied
with great interest by the global community compared to synthetic biologically active substances.
Due to the side effects of synthetic drugs considered suitable for treating chronic diseases, people
around the world prefer plant-based preparations. Traditional medicinal plants can provide new
compounds that counter the high cost and toxicity of available drugs, especially for rural
populations in developing countries [1].
This article presents data on the acute toxicity properties of an extract sample obtained from
Achillea millefolium (yarrow) and Quercus robur (common oak), studied at the Pharmacology
and Screening Laboratory of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences
of Uzbekistan.
Keywords:
Acute toxicity, plant extract, white laboratory mice, LD₅₀, toxicity class, evaluation
indicators.
Introduction:
In today’s era of medical advancements, the demand for medicines derived from
natural plant raw materials is increasing. This is because synthetic drugs clearly show adverse
effects. Under the initiative of our President, great importance is being given to expanding the
production of local pharmaceuticals using regional plants. According to item 31 of Appendix 1
of the Presidential Decree No. PQ-4670, dated April 10, 2020, "On measures for the
conservation, cultivation, processing and rational use of wild-growing medicinal plants", 50
plants are listed, including "yarrow".
Our research focuses on analyzing the alcoholic extract obtained from a mixture of yarrow and
oak plants and collecting data on its toxicity for potential use in medicine [2].
Description of Plants and Composition: Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – A perennial
herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family, growing up to 20–80 cm tall. It has a branched
rhizome and erect stems ending in corymb-like inflorescences. The leaves are sessile, double-
pinnately divided. The flowers are in heads that collectively form a corymb. It blooms from June
to late summer and fruits from August.
Chemical composition: Contains carotene, vitamins K and C, alkaloids like achilleine and
betonicine, up to 0.8% essential oil, matricarin isomers, millefin lactone, 0.31% choline,
asparagine, resins, tannins, and bitter substances like prochamazulene (achillin). According to
the XI Pharmacopoeia, the essential oil content must be at least 0.1%. The oil contains up to 4%
chamazulene, thujone, camphor, borneol, caryophyllene, up to 10% cineole, and various acids.
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Uses: Used for gastrointestinal diseases, to stimulate appetite, and as a hemostatic for internal
bleeding and external wounds (nose, gums, injuries).
Common Oak (Quercus robur) – A tree species of the Fagaceae family, found widely in Ukraine,
Belarus, Moldova, the Baltics, and Russia, and cultivated in Uzbekistan. Grows up to 40–50
meters tall.
Chemical composition: Contains 7–20% tannins (including up to 4% in old bark), mainly from
the pyrogallol group, 1.6% gallic and ellagic acids, flavonoids (quercetin), flobaphene, pentoses,
and pectic acids. According to the XI Pharmacopoeia, tannin content must be at least 8%.
Uses: Preparations from oak bark are used as astringent and antiseptic agents for oral cavity
diseases (gingivitis, stomatitis), sore throat, and for treating burns with 20% decoctions.
Objective of the Study:
To evaluate the acute toxicity effect of an extract obtained from yarrow
and oak plants.
Materials and Methods:
The acute oral toxicity was assessed using the fixed dose method recommended by the OECD
(2001), Test No. 420 (Acute Oral Toxicity - Fixed Dose Procedure, OECD Guidelines for the
Testing
of
Chemicals,
Section
4,
OECD
Publishing,
Paris,
https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264070943-enra).
The plant extract was administered orally to animals at a fixed dose of 5000 mg/kg. Experiments
were conducted on male, non-breed white laboratory mice with an average div weight of
22±2.0 g. Each group included 5 mice, with a total of 10 animals. Animals were healthy,
sexually mature, and quarantined for 10–14 days prior to testing.
Experimental Procedure:
The experiment was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, two
mice were administered the plant extract at a dose of 5000 mg/kg in 0.5 ml volume via gastric
intubation. No mortality was observed during the 2–3 days of observation. In the second stage,
the remaining 3 mice of the group received the same dose. A control group received the same
volume of distilled water.
During the first day of both stages, hourly monitoring was carried out for general condition,
tremors, and signs of death. For up to two weeks, daily monitoring included assessment of
overall health, activity, skin and fur condition, respiration rate and depth, urination, div weight
changes, and other parameters. The animals were kept under standard conditions with free access
to food and water. At the end of the study, the extract’s median lethal dose (LD₅₀) and toxicity
class were determined [4,5].
The data were statistically processed using arithmetic mean (M), standard error (m), and results
were considered statistically significant at p<0.05.
Results:
After oral administration of the extract at 5000 mg/kg, mice exhibited increased
respiratory rate, huddling behavior, and eye constriction within 10 minutes. These effects lasted
for 15–25 minutes, after which the animals began returning to normal condition.
No mortality was observed in the group administered the plant extract at 5000 mg/kg (0/5).
Compared to the control group, there were no significant div weight reductions on days 7 and
14 (p>0.05). The extract’s LD₅₀ was determined to be >5000 mg/kg.
The results are summarized in Table 1.
Table
1.
Assessment indicators of acute toxicity of plant extracts in male mice
(M±m, n=5)
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Groups
Dose mg/ml, ml
Number
of
animals/tested
Average
div
weight, g
LD₅₀,
mg/kg
Day 1
Day 7
Control
0.5 ml
5/0
22.0 ± 0.3
23.0 ± 0.3
Plant extract
5000 mg/ml
5/0
21.0 ± 0.2
22.0 ± 0.3
Note:
*P<0.05 compared to control group.
Table
2.
General appearance and behavioral observation of control and test groups during acute
toxicity study [1]
Observation
Control
Group
5000 mg/kg Dose –
After 10 minutes
5000 mg/kg Dose – After
15–25 minutes
Digestion
No change
No change
No change
Temperature
Normal
Increased
Normal
Urination
Normal
Altered
Normal
Respiratory rate
Normal
Increased
Normal
Skin condition
No effect
No effect
No effect
Insomnia
Absent
Absent
Absent
Sedation
No effect
Observed
Observed
Eye appearance
No effect
Eye narrowing observed
Eye narrowing observed
Diarrhea
Absent
Absent
Absent
General
physical
activity
Normal
Decreased
Decreased
Coma
Absent
Absent
Absent
Mortality
Alive
Alive
Alive
Food consumption
Normal
Normal
Normal
Body weight
Normal
Normal
Normal
Conclusion:
When the plant extract was administered orally to mice at a single dose of 5000
mg/kg (relative to the mass of the alcoholic extract), and the results were classified according to
the OECD guidelines, it was determined that the sample belongs to the Class VI – substances
with low hazard, with an LD₅₀ > 5000 mg/kg.
References:
1.
Internet information:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joad.2015.06.010
2.
Qurambayeva D. Karayeva N.Y. Study of tincture preparation technology from the aerial
parts of Achillea millefolium and oak bark; 82nd Scientific Society of Students. Tashkent–2025.
3.
H. X. Xolmatov, O’.A.Ahmedov Pharmacognosy Part I and II; Tashkent, 2007.
4.
OECD (2001) Guideline for testing of chemicals. Acute Oral Toxicity Fixed Dose
Procedure No 420 Руководящий документ ОЭСР Test № 420 << Acute Oral Toxicity - Fixed
Dose Procedure».
5.
Manual for Preclinical Drug Research. Part One, edited by A.N. Mironov. Moscow: Grif
i K, 2012. – 944 pages.
6.
Karayeva N.Y., Rahmonova G.G.,
Abdullajona N.G'
.,
Raimova K.V.
Preclinical general
and specific toxicology study of Glabtan dry extract from rhus glabra. International journal of
artificial intelligence (issn: 2692-5206) Volume 04 Issue 03 2024 P.277-282.
