DETERMINATION OF THE ACUTE TOXICITY LEVEL OF TAMARINDUS INDICA LEAF ETHANOL AND AQUEOUS EXTRACTS ON MICE

This study investigated the acute toxicity of Tamarindus indica (tamarind) leaf ethanol and aqueous extracts in mice using Lorke’s method to establish safety margins for therapeutic use. Traditional medicine widely utilizes T. indica leaves for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, yet scientific validation of their safety remains limited. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive compounds including flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids, and steroids, with ethanol extract demonstrating a higher extraction yield (9.82%) compared to aqueous extract (7.52%).Acute toxicity assessment was conducted in two phases using graded doses (10 mg/kg to 5000 mg/kg). In both phases, no mortality was observed in any group, although transient signs of mild toxicity such as reduced activity and restlessness were seen at higher doses, especially with the ethanol extract. The calculated LD₅₀ for both extracts was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg, classifying them as relatively non-toxic according to standard toxicological categories. The findings suggest that both extracts are relatively safe for short-term use, though further sub-chronic and chronic toxicity studies are recommended to fully assess long-term safety and guide appropriate dosing in therapeutic applications.