Evaluation of the acute toxicity of the extracts of var. (L.) and var. Maire in Swiss mice.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

(L.) has been used in traditional North African and Indian medicine for the treatment of several diseases such as cancer, rheumatism, epilepsy, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Despite its medical benefits, few studies have examined its toxicity. The present study evaluated the acute toxicity of hydroethanolic extracts of different parts (roots, seeds, leaves, and capitula) of two varieties of (L.), namely, var. (L) and var. (Ball) Maire, in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Acute toxicity was evaluated after the oral administration of different extracts at doses of 300, 500, and 2000 mg/kg. Mortality, body weight, general behavior, and adverse effects were observed daily for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, mice were sacrificed, and biochemical parameters and histopathology of the liver, kidneys, and spleen were analyzed.

RESULTS

The extracts of different parts of both plants induced no signs of toxicity or mortality during the observation period, excluding capitulum and seed extracts, which induced slight sedation at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. The LD of the extracts was estimated to exceed 2000 mg/kg. The administration of var. roots at a dose of 300 mg/kg resulted in significantly increased AST levels. However, the var. root extract induced significant increases in the levels of both transaminases (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST]). The remaining extracts of both plants at a dose of 500 mg/kg significantly increased AST levels. Moreover, all plant extracts excluding the var. capitulum extract at 2000 mg/kg provoked significant increases in AST levels, and var. roots provoked a significant increase of ALT levels. Meanwhile, mice treated with high doses of extracts (2000 mg/kg) displayed histopathological changes in the liver, kidneys, and spleen characterized by hepatic distress, inflammatory infiltration, focal tubular necrosis, vascular congestion, and lymphoid hyperplasia.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study indicate that the hydroethanolic extracts of different parts of two varieties of (L.) were not toxic in mice at low concentrations, whereas some toxic effects were detected in mice treated at 2000 mg/kg.