INVESTIGATION OF THE TOXICITY OF YELLOW BEDSTRAW (GALIUM VERUM) AQUEOUS EXTRACT

Introduction. Yellow bedstraw (Galium verum) is used in folk medicine. The chemical composition of the plant is represented by various groups of biologically active substances that can have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immunostimulant, choleretic, spasmolytic, and diuretic activities. Objective: to determine the acute and chronic toxicity of yellow bedstraw aqueous extract in laboratory animals, by identifying their clinical and hematological parameters. Material and methods. The aqueous extract from yellow bedstraw herb was obtained by a fractional maceration method. The obtained extract was analyzed in accordance with the requirements of the 13th Edition of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation. Its acute and chronic toxicity was studied in albino mice and albino rats. The degree of the extract’s toxicity was judged from the general condition of experimental animals and from changes in live weight and peripheral blood parameters. Results. The yellow bedstraw aqueous extract intragastrically administered to laboratory animals did not change clinical and hematological parameters. Since the death of the experimental animals did not occur, the average lethal dose of the extract could not be determined. Conclusion. The findings have indicated that the aqueous extract of yellow bedstraw belongs to hazard Class 4, insignificantly dangerous substances, according to the Guidance on the Classification of Hazardous Chemicals.