ACUTE TOXICITY STUDY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF Thymus algeriensis IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Thymus algeriensis (Lamiacées) is a species used in the traditional medicine to treat respiratory system and against illnesses of the digestive tube. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute toxicity of aqueous extract of Thymus algeriensis leaves in Albino Wistar male and female mice. The extract was administered orally at single dose of 2000 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg and then the mice were observed individually for the first four hours, then over a period of 24 hours and at least once daily for 14 days. Results recorded no mortality or signs of toxicity, no significant differences in body weight, food consumption, absolute organ weights between controls and treated animals. and showed no change in the biochemical parameters. No histological changes were observed in organs of treated mice compared to control. These results suggested that aqueous extract of Thymus algeriensis is safe when consumed by oral route.