Toxicological studies of two compounds isolated from Loranthus globosus Roxb.

The sub-acute toxicities of two compounds 3,4-dimethoxycinnamyl alcohol (1) and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamyl alcohol (2) isolated from the plant Loranthus globosus Roxb were studied on long Evan's rats. The studies included the gross general observation such as changes in body weight, haematological profiles [total count of Red Blood Cells (RBC) and White Blood Cells (WBC), differential count of WBC, platelet count and Haemoglobin (Hb)%], biochemical parameters of blood [Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), Serum Alkaline Phosphatase (SALP), urea and creatinine) and histopathology of the liver, kidney, heart and lung of both control and experimental groups of rats. The changes in haematological and biochemical parameters were statistically not significant after the administration of compounds 1 and 2 in a dose of 300 microg/rat/day for consecutive 14 days. No abnormality was found in the histopathology of the liver, kidney, heart and lung in the experimental groups of rats following same dose when compared with control group. This preliminary study suggests that the isolated compounds may be used safely for clinical trial.