Acute Toxicity Assessment of Gallic Acid Administered Orally and Intraperitoneally in Wistar Rats

This study was designed to assay the biochemical parameters and anatomopathological changes in Wistar rats treated orally and intraperitoneally with gallic acid (GA). Three single doses of GA (11.46, 114.6, and 1146 mg/kg of body weight) were administered via each route. Thirty-five rats were randomized into seven groups as follows: Group 1 (11.46 mg/kg, oral); Group 2 (114.6 mg/kg, oral); Group 3 (1146 mg/kg, oral); Group 4 (11.46 mg/kg, intraperitoneal); Group 5 (114.6 mg/kg, intraperitoneal); Group 6 (1146 mg/kg, intraperitoneal); and Group 7 (control). The rats were euthanized, and blood samples, along with kidney, liver, lung, heart, and brain tissues, were collected to assess pathological changes following OECD guidelines for acute toxicity testing. Biochemical analysis revealed low albumin and total protein levels in all groups. Because this hypoproteinemia was also present in the control group, the observed effects on these specific parameters cannot be attributed to GA administration. Higher doses of GA resulted in elevated values for other biochemical parameters; however, these remained within reference ranges. Histopathological examination showed that severe diffuse neuronal and neuropil degeneration was present in the brains of rats from Groups 5 and 6. The biochemical parameters and pathological findings suggest that this compound could be safe at the low and medium administered doses.