Acute and Sub-Chronic Toxicity of the Herbal Remedy Loi-Hoa-Vien-Tot-Bung (LHVTB) in Mice

Abstract

This study evaluated the preclinical safety of the herbal remedy Loi-hoa-vien-tot-bung (LHVTB) by assessing its acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity in mice. In the acute toxicity test, seven groups of Mus musculus (ten per group) received a single oral dose of LHVTB from 0 to 15 g/kg body weight. In the sub-chronic evaluation, mice received daily oral doses of 0.47 g/kg (the therapeutic equivalent dose) and 1.41 g/kg for 28 consecutive days. Monitored parameters included signs of toxicity, body weight changes, and hematological and biochemical markers. Following the study, vital organs (liver, kidneys, spleen) were subjected to gross macroscopic and detailed histopathological examinations to detect any abnormalities. The acute study revealed no mortality or signs of systemic toxicity up to the 15 g/kg limit dose. In the sub-chronic study, continuous administration of LHVTB at both dose levels did not significantly alter the general condition, body weight gain, or key hematological and biochemical profiles compared to the control group. Furthermore, macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the liver, kidneys, and spleen revealed no treatment-related pathological changes. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the LHVTB capsule exhibits a safety profile, with no evidence of acute or 28-day sub-chronic toxicity in mice at the tested doses.