Description of Acute Toxicity of Ketepeng Root Extract (Senna alata (L.) Roxb.)

Abstract

Introduction: People in Indonesia, especially in the West Kalimantan region often use the root of ketepeng as a medicine to treat jaundice, but they lack knowledge regarding the appropriate dosage. Therefore, this study aims to determine the acute toxicity of ketepeng root extract. Methods: The sample population consists of 8 male mice, which were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups, namely P1, P2, P3, and P4 with dosages of 0.56 mg, 5.6 mg, 56 mg, and 560 mg/20 g body weight, respectively. The extract was administered once, after which the samples were observed for 24 hours to record the number of deaths. Follow-up observations were then carried out for 3 days on the mice that survived the test. Results: The results showed that within 24 hours of administration, the samples in P1 were alive, while all animals in the other groups died. Furthermore, the follow-up observations on animals that survived showed that they were in good condition with no toxic symptoms, such as balance disorders, refusal to eat, and lack of physical activity. Conclusion: Based on the results, the administration of 0.56 mg/20 g body weight of the extract was relatively safe, while higher doses can cause death. However, further testing must be carried out to complete the toxicity information as well as to determine the exact dosage range to avoid mortality during the treatment. Key words: Acute toxicity, Fabaceae, Roots of Senna alata (L.) Roxb.