Mesua ferrea Linn. is used traditionally in India and South East Asian countries as an antiseptic, antidote
and a brain tonic. Recent pharmacological studies on the plant have highlighted M. ferrea to be a rich
source of secondary metabolites, with proven therapeutic applications
1. Research paper of Mrs. Swati Kolhe
Title: .Subacute toxicity study of the ethanolic extract of Mesua ferrea (L.) flowers in rats.
Authors: Pallavi Shirsat, Ziyaurrahman A. R. , Rama Kashikar ,Manjushree Athavale ,
Tejas Athavale , Pritam Taware , Tina Saldanha , Swati Kolhe & Sachin
Tembhurne:
Journal Details- Drug and chemical toxicity ,ISSN: (Print) (Online) Journal homepage:
https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/idct20 .
Publisher:Taylor and francis
Description:
Mesua ferrea Linn.is used traditionallyin India and South EastAsian countries as an antiseptic,antidote
and a brain tonic. Recent pharmacological studies on the planthave highlighted M. ferrea to be a rich
source of secondarymetabolites,with proven therapeutic applications.Since the toxicity of a plantfol
lowing repeated exposure is ofhigher clinical significance,the presentinvestigation was conducted to
establish the subacute toxicity profile of the ethanolic extract of Mesua ferrea flowers (MFE). The study
was conducted in accordance with the OECD Guideline 407,wherein MFE was administered orallyto
groups ofmale and female rats (n ¼ 5/group/sex) at the doses of100,500 and 1000 mg/kg,over a
period of 28 days. Repeated administration of MFE had no adverse effect on the growth rate and
hematological parameters ofthe animals.There were no changes in the biochemical parameters,
except for a slightdecrease in the CHOL (total cholesterol) levels,and an increase in the levels of AST
(aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase),atthe highestdose.The latter corro
borated with the histopathological findings exhibiting mild lymphocytic infiltration and hepatocyte
degeneration observed in the liver tissues ofboth sexes.According to the study, the no-observed
adverse-effectlevel (NOAEL) of M. ferrea in the 28-day repeated dose toxicity study in rats was 500 mg/
kg. Though the overall effects of the extract at the highestdose did nottranslate into any serious com
plications,its effect on hepatic function needs to be established over a longer period of study
