Aouachria Sana, Boumerfeg Sabah, Benslama Abderrahim, Benbacha Faycel, Guemmez Thoraya, Khennouf Seddik, Arrar Lekhmici, Baghiani Abderrahmane
Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Life sciences, University Ferhat Abbas Setif 1, Setif 19000, Algeria.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University Bordj Bou-Arraridj, 34000, Algeria.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2017 Aug 17;208:105-116. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.06.028. Epub 2017 Jun 27.
Reichardia picroide is a species mainly used for alimentary purposes, but it is traditionally known to be used as hypoglycemiant, diuretic, depurative, galactagogue and tonic.
To date, there are no studies corroborating both its safety and antioxidant activities. The objective of the present study, thus, was to assess the safety profile of Reichardia picroide methanolic extract (RPE) and as well as on its antioxidant and antihemolytic activities.
The acute toxicity of RPE was carried out based on OECD guidelines 425. Signs accompanying toxicity and possible death of animals were monitored for two weeks to ascertain the median lethal dose (LD) of the RPE. In sub-acute toxicity study, the extract was administered by gavage at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg/day for 21 consecutive days. The antioxidant activity of RPE was investigated through various methods both in vitro and in vivo.
The admistrated doses did not produce mortality or changes in general behaviors of the tested males and females mice. The LD was found to be superior to 5000mg/kg DW. Moreover, daily administration of RPE at doses ranged from 500 to 1000mg/kg could result in alteration of liver and kidney histology. Significant decrease in liver enzymes (ALT and AST), urea and creatinine levels in female plasma was recorded. The RPE was, in vitro, strong in DPPH scavenging and hemolytic inhibition, benificial in lipid peroxidation inhibition and reducing power. In addition, it exhibited, in vivo, a strong effect on GSH level increasing and lipid peroxidation inhibition in liver and kidney.
It can be suggested, based on the results of this study, that the crude extract of Reichardia picroide was non-toxic in acute administration and the use of this extract is safe at doses ≤ 250mg/kg. This study supports the application of Reichardia picroides in alimentary and traditional medicine purposes. Moreover, antioxidant activity results suggested that Reichardia picroide had potent antioxidant activities and could be utilized as new natural antioxidant in food and therapeutics.
苦苣菜是一种主要用于食用目的的植物，但传统上已知它可作为降血糖剂、利尿剂、净化剂、催乳剂和滋补剂。
迄今为止，尚无研究证实其安全性和抗氧化活性。因此，本研究的目的是评估苦苣菜甲醇提取物（RPE）的安全性概况及其抗氧化和抗溶血活性。
RPE的急性毒性试验按照经合组织准则425进行。监测动物毒性相关体征和可能的死亡情况两周，以确定RPE的半数致死剂量（LD）。在亚急性毒性研究中，连续21天以250、500和1000mg/kg/天的剂量通过灌胃给予提取物。通过多种体外和体内方法研究RPE的抗氧化活性。
给药剂量未导致受试雄性和雌性小鼠死亡或一般行为改变。LD大于5000mg/kg干重。此外，每天以500至1000mg/kg的剂量给予RPE会导致肝脏和肾脏组织学改变。记录到雌性血浆中肝酶（ALT和AST）、尿素和肌酐水平显著降低。RPE在体外具有较强的DPPH清除能力和溶血抑制能力，对脂质过氧化抑制和还原能力有益。此外，它在体内对肝脏和肾脏中谷胱甘肽水平的升高和脂质过氧化的抑制有很强的作用。
基于本研究结果，可以认为苦苣菜粗提物急性给药时无毒，该提取物在剂量≤250mg/kg时使用是安全的。本研究支持苦苣菜在食品和传统医学中的应用。此外，抗氧化活性结果表明苦苣菜具有强大的抗氧化活性，可作为食品和治疗中的新型天然抗氧化剂。
