Evaluation of the Extracts From Rhizomes of Polygonum bistorta for the Median Lethal Dosages in Swiss Albino Mice

Background: Polygonum bistorta has been used as a remedy for jaundice, smallpox, pimples, measles, cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, expelling worms, insect stings and snakebites. In this study, the crude extract from P. bistorta and two fractions viz. hexane and chloroform obtained from the crude extract were studied for their median lethal dosages (LD50) in Swiss albino mice. Methods: Powdered rhizomes of P. bistorta was macerated with chloroform and the crude extract was dissolved in a solvent mixture of methanol/water (95:5). The mixture was then subjected to solvent-solvent partition, first with hexane followed by chloroform. The crude extract and the hexane and chloroform fractions were evaluated for their LD50 in Swiss albino mice of both sexes. Results: The LD50 of the crude extract and the hexane and chloroform fractions were determined to be 142.82, 200 and 200.17mg per kg of the mice body weight, respectively. Conclusions: The LD50 values of the crude extract and the hexane and chloroform fractions from P. bistorta were determined. The crude extract of P. bistorta had greater lethality than the hexane and chloroform fractions. This is the first report on the LD50 values of Swiss albino mice for P. bistorta.