Evaluation of Acute and 8-Week Sub-chronic Toxicities of Aromatic water of Rheum Ribes in Rats

In Iranian folk medicine, especially in west of the country, the aromatic water of Rheum ribes has been used for several purposes such as fever reduction. Despite the widespread use of this plant as food or as a medicinal plant, there is still lack of information on its toxicity profile. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the acute and sub chronic toxicities of aromatic water of R. ribes in Wistar rat. In the acute toxicity study, single doses of aromatic water were administered orally, and the rats were then monitored for 14 days. In the subchronic toxicity study, aromatic water was administered to rats for 60 days. Results of acute toxicity study indicated that the LD50 of R. ribes aromatic water is higher than 5000 mg/kg. Biochemical analysis showed aromatic water of R. ribes increased significantly Creatine Phospho Kinase (CPK) and Lactate De-Hydrogenase (LDH) levels. Moreover some significant abnormality of heart organ such as coagulated necrosis of cardiac muscle cells associated with hemorrhage, hypertrophy and infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed. Based on the result of this study, no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of aromatic water from R. ribes considered to be 250 mg/kg/day for male rats and 500 mg/kg/day for female rats.