Systemic studies dealing with 6-Shogaol (C₁₇H₂₄O₃) safety in experimental animals is lacking. Therefore, the aim of current study was to determine the safe dose of 6-Shogaol that can be used in mice model and to assess the potential toxicity that may be initiated by the higher concentrations of this substance by means of clinical observations and evaluation of histopathological changes in liver, kidney and spleen. Sixty mice were divided into 6 groups; groups 1 and 2 served as negative and vehicle control respectively, whereas animals of groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 were treated with 10, 20, 40, and 100 mg/kg b.w. Shogaol respectively. The animals were investigated daily for any sign indicative for activity alterations and toxicity along with their body weight measurement throughout experiment for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized and the liver, spleen and kidney were collected for histopathological examination. The results obtained from this study showed that the 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg b.w. doses of Shogaol were safe compared to the 100 mg/kg b.w. dose which resulted in mild clinical activity alterations, reduction in body weight gain and histopathological changes, probably attributed to Shogoal toxicity, in 30% of the total mice treated by this dose. No mortality was observed in all groups. These results may provide a new insight into the safe doses of this phenolic constituent of ginger in experimental animals and open the way for more future studies related to its medicinal benefits.

To Cite This Article: Snur Hassan MA and Hassan AH, 2018. Assessment of toxicological effect of shogaol in albino mice. Pak Vet J, 38(4): 377-383. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2018.095