Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Earthworms (Pheretima javan-ica K.) Through Examining SGOT, SGPT, and Liver Histophatology Corroborated by the Observation on the Physical Characteristics of White Rats (Rattus norvegicus L.)

Abstract

Pheretima javanica K. is a type of earthworm potentially used as typhoid fever medicine because its contents, such as Lumbricin I,is an antimicrobial peptide which can nullify the permeability of bacterial membranes. In this study, fine earthworm powder was produced through drying and mixing process. This study aimed to test the acute toxicity of earthworm powder (Pheretima javanicaK.) by examining SGOT and SGPT levels, histopathological observations of white rats’ liver (Rattus norvegicus L.), and theobservation of the rats’s physical characteristics. Fifty white rats were divided into 5 treatment groups, including treatment 1 (dose 400 mg/Kg BW), treatment 2 (dose 800 mg/Kg BW,) treatment 3 (dose 1600 mg/Kg BW), and treatment 4 (dose 3200 Mg/Kg BW). The white rats were given earthworm powder dissolved in aquades for 14 days, and then the rats’ liver were dissected, and histopathological preparations were done using Hematoxylin Eosin (HE) staining technique. LD50 calculation using Thomson and Weil method was operative to analyse the data. The analysis result indicated that the treatment involving 14-day interval of more than 5.000 mg/Kg BW was proven practically non-toxic. Anova test results focusing on SGOT and SGPT indicated no significant effect on liver function, as marked by significant value I, whereas the Histopathology test revealed no difference between negative control and treatments involving dosages ranging from 400 mg mg/KG BW to 3200 mg/KG BW. The observation of physical characteristics evinced that generally the rats were classified to be health, which was marked by soft dense furr, sharp red eye color, solid faeces, and increased weight gain on weekly basis