HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE ACUTE TOXICITY PROFILE THE METHANOL EXTRACT OF ERIGERON FLORIBUNDUS IN WIZTAR RAT

The use of medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes has been increasing globally, highlighting the need for rigorous safety evaluations. Erigeron Floribundus is a plant traditionally employed in folk medicine, yet limited scientific data exist regarding its toxicological profile. This study aimed to assess the acute toxicity and histopathological effects of the methanolic extract of Erigeron Floribundus on liver and kidney tissues. Adult laboratory animals were administered a single oral dose of the extract, and clinical signs of toxicity, mortality, and behavioral changes were monitored over 14 days. At the end of the observation period, liver and kidney samples were collected, fixed, and processed for histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The control group exhibited normal hepatic and renal architecture with intact hepatocytes, glomeruli, and tubular structures. In contrast, animals treated with the extract showed mild to moderate histological alterations, including slight hepatocellular vacuolation and minimal tubular degeneration, depending on the administered dose. No mortality was observed, indicating that the extract is relatively safe at the tested concentrations. These findings suggest that while the methanolic extract of Erigeron Floribundus may induce minor tissue changes at higher doses, it does not cause severe acute toxicity. The study provides foundational data for the safe use of this plant in traditional medicine and supports further investigations into its pharmacological potential. Overall, the results contribute to understanding the safety profile of Erigeron Floribundus, emphasizing the importance of histopathological evaluations in assessing the toxicological effects of herbal preparations.