Assessment of preliminary subacute oral toxicity of Bambusa nutans aqueous extract based on histoarchitectural and biochemical alterations in LACA mice

The use of bamboo as herbal remedy has long been mentioned in ancient pharmacopeias but its use in the medicinal world has not been in vogue. Various health-promoting activities of bamboo have been documented, but less emphasis has been placed on the in vivo studies of bamboo shoots. To assess the health-promoting activities of the shoots, the toxicity profile was evaluated. Three different doses of fresh shoot, viz, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight, were administered to LACA male mice and were compared to control mice for 60 days. Phytochemical estimations of fresh shoots of edible bamboo Bambusa nutans revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds such as phenols, flavonoids, coumarins, phytosterols, saponins, tannins, and triterpenes. No lethality and prominent physiological difference were observed throughout the treatment period. Blood glucose level increased slightly in 800 mg/kg body weight group but was in the normal range. Histology of liver, kidney, and pancreas revealed some alteration in liver of high dose administered group whereas no alteration was observed in other organs in all groups. Biochemical alteration of serum was observed in case of serum lactate dehydrogenase, and reduced glutathione levels and whole blood lipid peroxidase levels were observed in all plant extract–treated groups compared to control. Considering these results, all the considered doses of Bambusa nutans extract can be contemplated safe as no adverse toxicity and lethality were observed in the study.