Assessment of oxidative stress effect of withania somnifera in rats after 28 days repeated oral treatment

Objective: Withania somnifera, a well-known medicinal plant, proved to have a remarkably broad range of therapeutic properties. However, studies evaluating its toxic effects are very scarce. A 28 day repeated oral toxicity study was conducted to evaluate oxidative stress inducing effect, if any, to ascertain its safe use. Method: The present study was designed following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guideline 407. W. somnifera root extract was given daily for 28 days through oral route at 30, 300, and 1000 mg/kg dose levels. Results: The results revealed that treated rats exhibited no mortality and toxic symptoms throughout the study period. It was also observed that there was no significant difference in body, organ weights, and feed, water intake in treated rats when compared to control. W. somnifera root extract treatment also brought no significant dose-related changes in lipid peroxidation, reduced Glutathione (GSH) content, superoxide dismutase, catalase, GSH-S transferase, and GSH peroxidase enzymes activity in liver, kidney, and brain of treated rats. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the study that 28 days repeated oral treatment of W. somnifera root extract found to be devoid of any toxic symptoms and oxidative stress effect.