According to Melo et al. (2004), acute pre-clinical toxicity of dry bark extract from Anacardium occidentale L. increased AST and ALT 14 days after animals received a single 5 g/kg dose; however, 21 days after exposure, hepatic enzymes levels were normal. Elevated ALT and AST serum levels, combined with histopathological evi- dence, are used to identify acute hepatocellular injury, which is essential for investigating and recognizing chemical-induced liver toxicity