Acute toxicity of aqueous and petroleum ether extracts of Datura innoxia leaves in mice

The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the acute toxicity of two extracts (aqueous and petroleum ether) of Datura innoxia leaves. Determination of LD50 was carried out by using forty eight mice for petroleum ether extract that divided into six equal groups (eight mice in each group), and 40 mice for aqueous extract that divided into five equal groups (eight mice in each group). Doses of LD50 of petroleum ether extract were (400, 500, 600, 700, 800) mg/kg B.w., and those for aqueous extract were (2000, 2250, 2500, 2750, 3000) mg/kg B.w. The calculated median lethal dose (LD50) was (500) mg/kg B.w. for petroleum ether extract, and (2400) mg/kg B.w. for aqueous extract of D. innoxia. By comparing the values of LD50 of both extracts, it showed that the toxicity of petroleum ether extract was nearly five times more potent than the aqueous extract. Both extracts had the same efficacy. This difference in LD50 of two extracts may be due to the presence of materials like flavenoids, glycosides and essential oil that are soluble in petroleum ether but insoluble in water.