The acute oral and subacute cutaneous toxicities of Hyptis spicigera and Ocimum americanum from Burkina Faso were evaluated in this study. In both experiments the concentration was 5000 mg/kg b.w., and control groups received corn oil. The acute oral toxicity consisted of administrating by gavage each essential oil diluted in corn oil, to NMRI mice, which were monitored for 14 days. Blood samples were taken for hematological, biochemical analysis and organs were collected for macroscopic analysis after the follow-up. Wistar rats were used for the subacute cutaneous toxicity of O. americanum. For 4 weeks, diluted essential oil was applied daily to a shaved skin area and treatment was maintained by a bandage for 6h. The results of the acute oral toxicity showed that piloerection, drowsiness, itching and hyperactivity had a higher frequence of occurrence than salivation, aggressivity, diarrhea, convulsions, heavy breathing and coma. Animals weight gain and organs weight were normal, except for H. spicigera group and the heart in O. americanum group respectively, which had a statistical difference compared to the control. There was no statistical difference in the blood parameters analyzed (White Blood Cells, Red Blood Cells, Platelets, Hemoglobin, Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine transaminase). For the subacute cutaneous toxicity, the Draize score was 0 for both edema and erythema.
Keywords: Essential oils, Hyptis spicigera; Ocimum americanum, acute oral toxicity, subacute cutaneous toxicity
