Genotoxicity and acute and subchronic toxicity studies of a standardized methanolic extract of Ficus deltoidea leaves

OBJECTIVE: Ficus deltoidea leaves have been used in traditional medicine in Southeast Asia to treat diabetes, inflammation, diarrhea, and infections. The present study was conducted to assess the genotoxicity and acute and subchronic toxicity of a standardized methanol extract of F. deltoidea leaves. METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were orally treated with five different single doses of the extract and screened for signs of toxicity for two weeks after administration. In the subchronic study, three different doses of the extract were administered for 28 days. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, hematological and biochemical parameters, gross findings, organ weights, and histological parameters were monitored during the study. Genotoxicity was assessed using the Ames test with the TA98 and TA100 Salmonella typhimurium strains. Phytochemical standardization was performed using a colorimeter and high-performance liquid chromatography. Heavy metal detection was performed using an atomic absorption spectrometer. RESULTS: The acute toxicity study showed that the LD50 of the extract was greater than 5000 mg/kg. In the subchronic toxicity study, there were no significant adverse effects on food consumption, body weight, organ weights, mortality, clinical chemistry, hematology, gross pathology, or histopathology. However, a dose-dependent increase in the serum urea level was observed. The Ames test revealed that the extract did not have any potential to induce gene mutations in S. typhimurium, either in the presence or absence of S9 activation. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed high contents of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed high levels of vitexin and isovitexin in the extract, and the levels of heavy metals were below the toxic levels. CONCLUSION: The no-observed adverse effect level ...

Toxicity study of silver nanoparticles synthesized from suaeda monoica on Hep-2 cell line

Recently there has been fabulous excitement in the nano-biotechnological area for the study of nanoparticles synthesis using some natural biological system, which has led the growth advanced nanomaterials. This intention made us to assess the biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles from the leaf of Suaeda monoica [S.monoica] using 1 mM silver nitrate. The leaf extract of S.monoica incubated with 1 mM silver nitrate solution and characterized by UV-spectrometer and AFM. The effect of synthesized silver nanoparticles on Human Epidermoid Larynx Carcinoma cell line was evaluated by the MTT colorimetric technique. As a result we observed gradual change in the colour of extract from greenish to brown. The synthesized silver nanoparticles con-firmed by UV at 430 nm and spherical shape identified in the range of 31 nm under AFM. The effect of silver nanoparticles on Human Epidermoid Larynx Carcinoma cell line exhibits a dose-dependent toxicity for the cell tested and the viability of Hep-2 cells decreased to 50% [IC50] at the concentration of 500 nM. Further findings will be determined the exact mechanisms of this cost effective Nano-treatments

Evaluación de la hoja del árbol de caulote (Guazuma ulmifolia, Lam), como alimento para humanos / Evaluation of tree leaf caulote as human food

Con el objetivo de determinar la composición nutricional de la hoja de caulote (Guazuma ulmifolia Lam), la toxicidad en humanos, la ceptabilidad y preferencia de dos preparaciones elaboradas con dicha hoja, se colectaron hajas de caulote en Atescatempa, Jutiapa, se deshidraton y molieron. Aplicando el sistema de Weende para análisis químico proximal, se determinó que la hoja de caulote (G. ulmifolia Lam) tiene un alto contenido de humedad, fibra y proteina, aunque menor cantidad de proteína que otras hojas utilizadas en la alimentación humana; el perfil de minerales indica que dicha hoja presenta un alto contenido de clcio, hierro y magnesio. El contenido de calcio y magnesio duplica lo reportado en otras hojas como el macuy, bledo y amaranto.

Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and acute toxicity effects of Juglans regia L. leaves in mice

Juglans regia leaves have been used in folk medicine to alleviate inflammatory diseases. This study investigates the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and acute toxicity effects of Juglans regia L. leaves in mice. 351 Male and female albino mice were divided into negative [saline], positive [morphine or diclofenac] controls as well as test groups [n=6-8]. The acute [intraperitoneally] toxicity was evaluated for 2 days. Antinociceptive activities were done using hot-plate and writhing tests. Anti-inflammatory effects were studied using xylene induced ear edema and cotton pellet tests. The LD50 values of J. regia aqueous and ethanolic extracts were 5.5 and 3.3 g/kg, respectively. The aqueous [2.87 and 1.64 g/kg] and ethanolic [2.044 and 1.17 g/kg] extracts showed antinociceptive activity in hot-plate test. The pretreatment of naloxone [2 mg/kg, s.c.] did not inhibit the extracts activities. The extracts exhibited antinociceptive activity in writhing test, which were not blocked by naloxone. In xylene test, both extracts showed anti-inflammatory activity in some doses. The extracts showed anti-inflammatory activity against the chronic inflammation. J. regia leaves demonstrated antinociceptive effect through non-opioid receptors and anti-inflammatory effect against acute and chronic inflammation. The extracts of J. regia could be considered as a promising analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents against diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis

Healing and cytotoxic effects of psidium guajava (Myrtaceae) leaf extracts

Aim: The aims of this study were to evaluate the wound healing potential in vivo and the cytotoxic effects in vitro of Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae) leaf extract and commonly used corticosteroids. Methods: The healing effect was studied in vivo by the clinical and histological evaluation of traumatic lesions in the oral mucosa of rats treated with these substances. Each rat received 2 daily applications of the medicine tested and the animals were sacrificed after 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days. Tissue sections stained with hematoxylin & eosin were analyzed. The histological evaluation involved a 5-point scoring system based on the degree of healing, ranging from 1 (total repair of epithelium and connective tissue) to 5 (epithelial ulcer and acute inflammatory infiltrate). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis of the histological scores. For the in vitro toxicity assay, each substance was applied to mucosa fibroblast cell cultures in conditioned media. The media were conditioned by placing the substances in contact with fresh culture medium for 24 h. The cytotoxicity analysis was performed using the MTT assay. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey’s test at 5% significance level. Results: In vitro, the guava extract caused a decrease in the cell viability and growth when compared to the control and corticosteroids. In vivo, guava extract caused accelerated wound healing from the 3rd day, whereas the corticosteroids delayed tissue repair and were associated with bacterial surface colonization, the presence of micro-abscesses and intense inflammatory infiltrate in the submucosa. Conclusions: Although in a short-term cytotoxicity analysis, the guava extract reduced the cell population in vitro, while in vivo, the extract accelerated wound healing.

Assessment of mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of Solanum paniculatum L. extracts using in vivo micronucleus test in mice / Avaliação da mutagenicidade e citotoxicidade de extratos de Solanum paniculatum L. usando o teste do micronúcleo in vivo em camundongos

Solanum paniculatum L. is a plant species widespread throughout tropical America, especially in the Brazilian Savanna region. It is used in Brazil for culinary purposes and in folk medicine to treat liver and gastric dysfunctions, as well as hangovers. Because of the wide use of this plant as a therapeutic resource and food, the present study aimed at evaluating the mutagenic and cytotoxic effects of S. paniculatum ethanolic leaf and fruit extracts using the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. Our results indicate that neither S. paniculatum ethanolic leaf extract nor its ethanolic fruit extract exhibited mutagenic effect in mice bone marrow; however, at higher doses, both extracts presented cytotoxic activity.

Solanum paniculatum L., popularmente conhecida como jurubeba, ocorre em toda a América tropical, especialmente no Cerrado. No Brasil, é utilizada para fins culinários e na medicina popular para o tratamento de distúrbios gástricos e hepáticos, além de ressacas. Devido à grande utilização desta planta pela população como recurso terapêutico e alimentício, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as atividades mutagênica e citotóxica dos extratos etanólico das folhas e frutos de S. paniculatum utilizando o teste do micronúcleo em medula óssea de camundongos. Os resultados indicam que os extratos etanólicos tanto das folhas quanto dos frutos de S. paniculatum não apresentaram ação mutagênica em medula óssea de camundongos, porém, em doses mais elevadas, ambos os extratos exibiram atividade citotóxica.

Intoxicação experimental com as folhas de Jatropha gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae) em ovinos / Experimental poisoning by the leaves of Jatropha gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae) in sheep

As folhas recém-colhidas de Jatropha gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae) foram letais para ovinos em administrações únicas de 40g/kg. A dose de 5g/kg não causou sintomas de intoxicação; as doses intermediárias provocaram a morte de parte dos animais. A evolução da intoxicação foi de 6 a 22 dias. O quadro clínico-patológico nos ovinos experimentais era caracterizado por perturbações digestivas, pulmonares, cardíacas e ainda alterações regressivas leves somente evidenciadas através de exames histológicos, hepáticas e renais. Esses achados são semelhantes aos observados em experimentos com as sementes de Jatropha curcas em caprinos, ovinos e bezerros, e com os com os frutos e as folhas de Jatropha glauca e Jatropha aceroides em caprinos, realizados por outros autores. Estas comparações indicam que, independentemente das espécies, as folhas de Jatropha spp. devem conter compostos semelhantes aos encontrados nas sementes.

Fresh green leaves of Jatropha gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae) were lethal for sheep in single administrations of 40g/kg. The dose of 5g/kg did not cause poisoning, but intermediate doses caused death in part of the animals. The clinical course of poisoning was 6 to 22 days. The clinic and pathological picture in the experimental sheep was characterized by digestive, lung and heart disturbances, and also by slight microscopic liver and renal regressive alterations. These findings are similar to those observed in experiments with the seeds of Jatropha curcas in goats, sheep and calves, and with the fruits and leaves of Jatropha glauca and Jatropha aceroides in goats, performed by other authors. A comparison indicates that, independently of the plant species, the leaves of Jatropha spp. contain toxic compounds similar to those found in the seeds.

[ hepatotoxicity of aqueous methanol extract and fractionated-methanol extract of Phytolacca americana in male rat using perfusion method]

Phytolacca americana is a native plant in several states of USA and mostly its boiled leaves are used as a popular salad [called grandmother salad] in American diet. It grows widely in the coastal areas and forests in northern parts of Iran but is rarely used. In spite of having several medicinal properties, its side effect is digestive toxicity [especially hepatotoxicity]. To date, the hepathotoxicity of this plant from northern of Iran has not been studied. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of P. americana using Isolated Rat Liver Perfusion [IRLP] system. The albino rats weighted 180-220 g were desighdted into 6 groups. Subsequently, the male rat's anesthetized using ether, were used for experiments. The inferior vena cava was cannnulated with PE-10 tubing. The portal vein was immediately cannulated with a 23 g catheter. Then the liver was perfused in site by Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 37°C with a rate of 20ml/min for 3hr. After 30-45 min of perfusion, various doses [10, 20, 40, 50, 100 mg/kg] of aqueous and methanol extracts and CHCl3, ETOAC and MEOH fraction [10, 20, 40mg/kg] were added to the buffer and perfused for 2 hr. Samples of perfused fluid were collected every 30min and analyzed for any liver injury by measuring the serum enzymes [ALT, AST]. Sections of liver tissue were also examined for pathological changes. The results showed that the activity of aminotransferase enzymes increased significantly and dose-dependently [p<0.01]. Also, methanol extract fractionates were increased compared with the control group [p<0.05]. The histopathological changes in the liver tissue were dose-dependent and confirmed the previous data. The enzymatic differences between the test groups and the control group showed the most difference at 60 min. The finding showed that the hepatotoxic effect of P. americana is dose dependent. Therefore, decreasing the administrated dose may be effective in prevention of its hepatic side effects

Cytotoxic effects of the Arum Palaestinum in Vitro

A hot water-soluble extract was obtained from the leaves of the Arum palaestinum and was subjected to cytotoxic bioassay in vitro against three tumor cell lines; Hep-2 [Larynx carcinoma] rhabdomyosarcoma and Hela [cervix carcinoma] using the MTT-assay technique. A moderate cytotoxicity of the hot extract against the three cell lines [IC50 14-20 [micro]g/ml]. The activity of the extract was compared with those of the reference standards, the cisplatin, the carboplatin and the oxaliplatin [IC50 0.3-38.7 [micro]g/ml]. The significance of these results is discussed

Toxic and sub-lethal effects of oleandrin on biochemical parameters of fresh water air breathing murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch.).

Active compound oleandrin extracted from Nerium indicum (Lal Kaner) leaf has potent piscicidal activity. The piscicidal activity of oleandrin on freshwater fish C. punctatus was both time and dose dependent. Exposure to sub-lethal doses of oleandrin for 24hr and 96hr to fish caused significant alteration in the level of total protein, total free amino acid, nucleic acid, glycogen, pyruvate, lactate and enzyme protease, phosphatases, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and acetylcholinesterase activity in liver and muscle tissues. The alterations in all the above biochemical parameters were also significantly time and dose dependent. The results show a significant recovery in all the above biochemical parameters, in both liver and muscle tissues of fish after the 7th day of the withdrawal of treatment. Toxicity persistence test of oleandrin on juvenile Labeo rohita shows that fish seed of common culturing carp can be released into rearing ponds after three days of oleandrin treatment. It supports the view that the oleandrin is safer and may be useful substitute of other piscicides for removing the unwanted freshwater fishes from aquaculture ponds.

Sub-acute toxicity studies of Catha edulis [Khat]

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of [Catha edulis on some biochemical parameters on short and long-term basis. Fresh Khat in a dose of 20 grams/kilogram, was given to three groups of rabbits [nine each], for one, two, and three weeks, and a fourth group was left as a control, and in another trial fresh Khat was given in three doses 20, 30 and 40 gram/kilogram to three groups of rabbits [six each], for six months, and a fourth group was left as a control. The results were as follows: fasting blood sugar [FBS], triglyceride [TG], GOT, and GPT were increased in both trials. The CBC which was measured only in the second trial showed that Khat lowered hemoglobin, WBCs, and lymphocytes while it increased neutrophils. The Khat treated groups showed lowered body weights in the second [six months] trial. The heart weight relative to the body weight was increased in the first trial, while this result was not seen in the second trial

Effect of catha edulis [khat] on the level of serum uric acid in healthy Yemeni male adults

Effect of catha edulis [khat] on the level of serum uric acid was studied in eighteen healthy Yemeni male adults. Their serum uric acid concentration was determined immediately after lunch and two hours after they have started to chew khat. The level of serum uric acid was consistently lower after chewing khat in all cases and the differences were statistically significant p-value < 0.05. No significant difference was found in the control groups. Therefore, chewing khat has resulted in lowering of the concentration of serum uric acid. Speculation on how khat could bring about this effect is discussed, and implications on proper diagnosis of relevant ailments have been highlighted

Effect of aqueous extract of Ipomoea carnea leaf on isolated frog and mouse heart.

Ipomoea carnea fam. Convolvulaceae is a poisonous plant and its toxicity is supposed to be due to the cardiac and respiratory failure. The present paper describes the cardiac effect of aqueous extract of the fresh leaves of I. carnea using mouse and frog heart. The aqueous extract produced an initial blockade of isolated frog heart for 5-10 sec followed by dose dependent increase in both amplitude and rate that lasts up to 2 min. Atropine (1 microgram/ml) blocked the initial depressant phase and potentiated the stimulant effect of the aqueous extract. The dose dependent increase in cardiac contractility of aqueous extract was not altered by propranolol or calcium channel blockers like nifedipine or diltiazem. The decrease in sodium chloride concentration or increase in potassium chloride concentration or calcium chloride concentration in physiological salt solution inhibited the responses to aqueous extract while an increase in sodium chloride concentration or decrease in potassium chloride or calcium chloride concentration in physiological salt solution potentiated the responses to the aqueous extract of I. carnea. It may be suggested from the data that aqueous extract of I. carnea produces positive inotropic effect on isolate frog heart possibly by sodium extrusion or release of the intracellular calcium.