A Comprehensive Review on Preclinical Safety and Toxicity of Medicinal Plants
Madhav Nilakanth Mugale, Kapil Dev, Bhumika S. More, Vaishali Sunil Mishra, Kaveri R. Washimkar, Kishan Singh, Rakesh Maurya, Srikanta Kumar Rath, Debprasad Chattopadhyay, Naibedya Chattopadhyay
Abstract
Globally, 80% people use plant-derived products for treating or preventing diseases. One prevalent perception about medicinal plants is that they are safe and devoid of adverse effects, however, approximately 1,50,000 plants contain toxic substances. This review is focused on the toxicity of medicinal plants in preclinical settings. Detail studies were searched from databases including PubMed and Google Scholar. Studies included were performed in rodents, and the test substances were administered orally. Our search revealed 33 widely used plants or products with significant toxicity, and phytochemicals from these plants have been summarized. Through a systematic review, we identified a plethora of medicinal plant extracts reporting safety and toxicity concerns. In future, preclinical toxicokinetic studies of herbs and the determination of their no-observed-adverse-effect levels are required for a complete safety assessment. Finally, the interaction of herbs with commonly used/over-the-counter drugs in terms of the latter's metabolic profile should be undertaken.