Evaluation of Toxicological Potential of Methanolic Extract of Chromolaena odorata found in the Western Ghats of Indian Subcontinent Orally in Mice

Toxicological potential of Chromolaena odorata, a fast growing perennial weed was assessed in mice. Methanolic extract of C. odorata did not cause any mortality of mice. However, the oral feeding of extract resulted in sedation, loss of appetite, enteritis and decreased weight gain in treated mice. Significant elevation (P<0.05) of the serum glutamic oxalo-acetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) was observed along with decrease in the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. No significant variation in the haematological parameters was observed in the treated mice except for the increase in counts of monocytes, lymphocytes as well as clotting and bleeding times. Gross pathological examination of extract treated mice revealed subcutaneous hemorrhages in different parts of the body, pale and friable liver, soft and congested lungs and kidneys. Histopathology of the liver revealed centrilobular necrosis with varying degrees of degenerative changes ranging from cloudy swelling to vacuolar changes of the periportal hepatic cells, congestion of the portal vein and proliferation of endothelial cells. Hence, the methanolic extract of invasive form of C. odorata found in the Wayanad region of Western Ghats of Indian subcontinent possesses severe toxic potential when given orally in mice.