Phytochemical Screening and Acute Oral Toxicity Study of Java Tea Leaf Extracts.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Phytochemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Java tea (Orthosiphon stamineus - OS) is widely consumed globally.
• OS is traditionally used for urinary stones, diabetes, hypertension, and as a diuretic.
• Microwave drying is a common method for OS leaf processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the acute oral toxicity of microwave-dried OS leaf extracts.
• To identify major phytochemical constituents in microwave-dried OS leaves.
• To assess the safety of OS for traditional medicinal applications.

Main Methods:

• Acute oral toxicity tests were conducted on Sprague-Dawley rats using aqueous, 50% ethanolic, and ethanolic OS extracts.
• Animals were observed for 14 days for mortality, behavior, body weight, and feed/water intake.
• Hematological, serum biochemical, and histological analyses were performed to assess organ function and toxicity.

Main Results:

• No mortality or toxic effects were observed in rats at the highest administered dose of 5000 mg/Kg body weight.
• No significant abnormalities were detected in behavioral, physiological, or biochemical parameters compared to control groups.
• Histological examination of kidney and liver tissues showed no treatment-related adverse effects.

Conclusions:

• Microwave-dried Java tea (OS) leaves are safe regarding acute oral toxicity.
• The oral lethal dose (LD50) of microwave-dried OS leaves is estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/Kg body weight.
• These findings support the safe consumption of Java tea for its traditional medicinal purposes.