I have prepared some plant extracts in different solvents and among them methanolic extracts are showing best in-vitro results for antioxidant potentials. Now, I want to feed or administer these methanolic extracts in the animals for in-vivo study and also want to apply them topically on wound after diluting in water or other inert solvent. However, methanol is very toxic. So, I want to know that are the methanolic extracts toxic also and can I use methanolic extracts after dissolving in water or other inert solvent.
Dear Vinay,
Yes we can administer the Methanol extract to animals. Before going to main test, conduct acute toxicity study and observe the toxicity parameters as per Irwin scale.
Select the dose based on the toxicity study results.
Make sure the plant extract is completely dried (Should be methanol free).
All the best
Dear Dr Viny
Agree to raghuram. Methanolic extract even after drying in vaccume dryer at an around 70 to 80 degree centigrade shows good activity. Normlly such type of dry powders contains methanol less than 20ppm and considered as safe for human consumption.
I fully agree with previous researchers. I hope that during freeze drying, you would have removed methanol completely. To make your extract completely methanol-free, you should concentrate your extract on rota vapor by adding fresh water followed by repeat concentrating it. To make sure for methanol-free, the above step should be repeated thrice. The dried extract prepared by following this method can be used for testing purpose.
YES YOU VAN USED dried/lypholozed methanolic extracts of plants for feeding to animals
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