Abstract

This study was aimed to assess the toxicological profile of Ulva lactuca L . through acute and sub-acute toxicity tests based on the OECD guideline 407. Toxicity assessment of protein extracted from Ulva lactuca L . seaweed was performed. An acute toxicity study was carried out using a single dose of 2000 mg/kg for 28 days and multi dose sub-acute toxicity study, was carried out by administering the doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day for 28 days. Rats were observed weekly for toxicity symptoms and compared with the control group, each group three rats for these studies. At the end of study, the animals were killed and their body weight, haematology, serum chemistry, and histopathology evaluation were done. Compared to the control group in acute and sub-acute toxicity studies similar changes in body weight gain, feed consumption, clinical pathology evaluation, and organ weight were observed. The LD50 did not produce any significant treatment related changes in clinical observations and hence, haematological, histopathological and serum biochemical parameters were within the normal limits. The toxicity study did not show any toxicological mortality and no behavioural changes were observed in rats treated with acute and sub-acute studies.

Keywords: Ulva; Toxicity; Histopathology; Mortality