Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Toxicological evaluation of Sargassum plagiophyllum extract in male mice

Chittipong Tipbunjong^1,2, Rattanaporn Sengkhim², Sitthiwach Thantongsakul^2,3, Saranya Peerakietkhajorn^2,3, Jaruwan Mayakun^3,4, Nawiya Huipao^2,5, Pissared Khuituan^2,5

¹Department of Anatomy, Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; ²Gut Biology and Microbiota Research Unit, Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; ³Department of Biology, Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; ⁴Excellence Center for Biodiversity of Peninsular Thailand, Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; ⁵Department of Physiology, Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.

For correspondence:- Pissared Khuituan Email: pissared.k@psu.ac.th Tel:+6674288204

Accepted: 01 November 2023 Published: 30 November 2023

Citation: Tipbunjong C, Sengkhim R, Thantongsakul S, Peerakietkhajorn S, Mayakun J, Huipao N, et al. Toxicological evaluation of Sargassum plagiophyllum extract in male mice. Trop J Pharm Res 2023; 22(11):2319-2326 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v22i11.11

© 2023 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To provide valid scientific evidence for the safety of Sargassum plagiophyllum extract in an animal model.

Methods: Sargassum plagiophyllum extract (SPE) was obtained via water extraction using an autoclave at 121°C for 20 min. The SPE was administered to 4 groups of adult male mice via gavage once a day for 21 days. The treatment groups received different doses of SPE, i.e., 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg. Control mice were given distilled water. Body weight, and feed and water intakes were recorded. The toxicity of SPE was assessed by determining blood, biochemical, and histopathological indices.

Results: Intake of SPE for 21 days did not produce any impact on body mass, feed intake and water intake, even at 2000 mg/kg. Hematological parameters were also unaffected. Biochemical analysis of blood/serum revealed normal levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in all treatment groups, when compared to control group. Moreover, histopathological studies confirmed healthy conditions of the liver, kidney, colon, and other organs in all treatment groups.

Conclusion: These results from a mouse model provide basic scientific evidence of the safety of consuming Sargassum plagiophyllum extract, even at high doses thus expanding its potential use as a medication for improving health.

Keywords: Sargassum plagiophyllum, Brown algae, Mice, Safety, Histopathology