Abstract

Plant extracts have been lately used by the population to treat various types of diseases, and this has been notably encouraged by the World Health Organization (WHO). Curcuma zerumbet (Zingiberaceae) belonging to the family of the Zingiberaceae, is herbaceous, perennial and, utilized by the population to treat gastric disorders. However, data on the subacute toxicity of this species are scarce in the literature. Therefore, the present work aimed to ascertain the subacute toxicity of different doses of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts from C. zerumbet. These extracts were orally administered through gavage in Wistar rats for 28 consecutive days. This study followed the instructions put forth by Guideline 407 (subacute toxicity) of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In specific pharmacological tests for acute and subacute toxicity in rats, it can be stated that C. zerumbet extracts doses greater than 5 g/kg neither caused mortality nor presented oral toxicity. Therefore, the extracts toxicity parameters analyzed in different doses on the groups of animals have shown no significant difference from those found in the control group. This allows one to conclude C. zerumbet (Zingiberaceae) rhizome aqueous and alcoholic extracts in high doses to harbor very low toxicity within a short time.

Key words: Curcuma, subacute toxicity, extracts.