EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF ONION ON THE LIVER AND LUNG OF RATS

The toxic effects of oral and intraperitoneal administration of onion extracts on lung and liver tissue of rats were investigated. Oral or i ntraperitoneal administration of low doses of onion (50 mg/kg) to rats had little effect on lung and liver tissues when compared to control animals. In contrast, administration of high doses of onion (500 mg/kg ) resulted in apparent histological changes in lung and liver tissues of rats. Intraperitoneal administration of the high dose of onion was more damaging to lung and liver tissue than oral administration and re sulted in a 25% rate of mortality in this treatment group. These resul ts suggest that low doses of onion are nontoxic and may be administere d with few ill effects. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.