Acute Toxicity and Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Some Serum Biochemical Parameters in Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of ethanol extract of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on serum biochemical parameters—total protein, albumin, cholesterol, and urea. Lorke’s method was employed to determine the oral and intraperitoneal (I.P.) LD₅₀ values using 24 rats. For oral LD₅₀ determination, rats were divided into groups A–C (3 rats each) and D–F (1 rat each). Phase I involved administering 10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg body weight orally and intraperitoneally to groups A–C. In Phase II, groups D–F received 1600, 2900, and 5000 mg/kg orally, and 600, 1000, and 1600 mg/kg intraperitoneally. For biochemical analysis, 15 rats were randomly assigned to groups A, B, and C (5 rats each). Groups A and B received 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of the ethanolic extract orally for 21 days, while Group C received distilled water as control. The LD₅₀ was calculated to be 3807 mg/kg for the oral route and 774 mg/kg for the I.P. route. Oral administration of the extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced serum total protein and albumin levels after 21 days. Conversely, serum urea levels increased significantly (P<0.05) at both dosages, while cholesterol levels remained largely unchanged. These findings suggest that prolonged oral exposure to ethanolic extract of Turmeric affects serum protein and nitrogen metabolism, indicating potential impacts on liver and kidney function. The study underscores the importance of dosage considerations in the therapeutic use of Turmeric extracts.