Subacute oral toxicity evaluation of Philippine bignay [Antidesma bunius (L.) Spreng cv. ‘common’] fruits in ICR mice

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia has prompted health research to investigate the use of indigenous crops as functional food ingredients. Bignay fruits are indigenous berries in the Philippines which have distinct health benefits. However, toxicity studies on these berries remain scarce, which are needed to ensure its safety for human consumption and development into food supplements. The primary objective of this study is to determine the possible toxic effects in vivo induced by oral subacute administration of bignay extracts. Using ICR mice of both sexes, aqueous bignay extracts were administered via oral gavage once daily for 28 days. The animals were observed daily for any abnormal behavior, and body weights and feed and water intake were also recorded. Gross and histopathology analysis were done to check for any abnormalities in key organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, GI tract, and kidneys. No significant changes were observed in body weight, feed and water intake, blood chemistry and hematology values in all mice groups and were comparable to published values and their respective controls. All mice groups also had appreciable body weight gain (10.89% to 21.52%) with zero morbidity and mortality. Gross and microscopic examination of the brain, heart, lungs, GI tract, liver, spleen, and kidneys showed normal architecture and histology, suggesting that the fruits did not induce any morphological abnormalities. The bignay fruits are non-toxic to both male and female ICR mice and have an LD50 value of greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight (BW).