Morella serrata is widely used in traditional medicine for the management of inflammatory
and metabolic disorders. Previous investigations have demonstrated a high median lethal dose and absence of overt toxicity following short-term exposure. However, data on long-term safety remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the sub-chronic oral toxicity of ethanolic root extract of Morella serrata following 90-day repeated administration in Wistar rats, in accordance with OECD guideline 408. Male and female Wistar rats were orally administered the extract at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/day for 90 days. Clinical observations, body weight, food intake, hematological and biochemical parameters, organ weights, and detailed histopathological examinations were conducted. No mortality or treatment-related clinical signs were observed throughout the study period. Body weight gain, food consumption, and relative organ weights were comparable to controls. Hematological and biochemical parameters remained within physiological limits. Histopathological evaluation revealed no significant pathological alterations in major organs. The ethanolic root extract of Morella serrata demonstrated no evidence of sub-chronic toxicity at doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day. These findings support the long-term safety of the extract and provide a scientific basis for its
continued ethnomedicinal use.
