*2.2. Experimental Animals and Toxicity Test*

Healthy adult male albino rats weighing 180–250 g were used. The animals were provided from Pasteur institute and housed in a plastic cage under controlled temperature (24 ± 2 ◦C), 12 h light/dark cycle and 55 ± 5% relative humidity. The animals were guarded in the laboratory (Faculty of Sciences, Gafsa, Tunisia) for seven days before experiences with free access to standard laboratory food (SNA –Sfax) and water ad libitum. Animals were treated in accordance with guidelines and according to the Medical Ethics Committee for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunisia (approval number: FST/LNFP/Pro 152012).

The toxicity of SC-CO2 extracts of fresh leaves and dried leaves mixed with corn oil was tested by gavage administration of four doses at 5, 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Animals (*n* = 6 in each group) were carefully controlled for progress of any toxicological symptoms at 30 min and then 4, 12, 24 and 48 h.
