PHARMACOLOGICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES OF PHASEOLUS LUNATUS IN RATS

The study was taken up to evaluate the pharmacological and toxicological property of Phaseolus lunatus (P. lunatus) plant. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The study was conducted to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory property of the plant extract using carrageenan induced paw oedema and the extract at the doses of 400 and 600 mg/kg is having significant anti-inflammatory activity. In vivo analgesic activity was conducted by using acetic acid induced writhings as peripheral pain model and the extract at the doses 400 and 600 mg/kg showed significant analgesic activity. Acute oral and repeated dose 28 day oral toxicity studies of methanol extract was carried out in Wistar albino rats as per the OECD guidelines 423 and 407 respectively. In sub-acute oral toxicity dose levels of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg were administered daily for 28 days and compared with the control rats. In both toxicity studies, no toxicity signs and mortality were observed. The MTD value was found to be more than 5 g/kg. No significant (p<0.05) changes in hematological parameters and biochemical parameters.