Toxicity and antitumor efficacy of Croton polyandrus oil against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells

ABSTRACT The essential oil from Croton polyandrus Spreng., Euphorbiaceae, leaves was tested for the toxicity and antitumor activity. The concentration producing 50% hemolysis was 141 µg/ml on mice erythrocytes. In the acute toxicological study, the estimated LD50 was 447.18 mg/kg. The essential oil did not induce increase in number of micronucleated erythrocytes, suggesting low genotoxicity. Essential oil (100 or 150 mg/kg) showed significant antitumor activity in Ehrlich ascitic carcinoma model. We observed that essential oil induces cell-cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, and increases the sub-G1 peak, which represents a marker of cell death by apoptosis. Survival also increased for the treated animals. The toxicological analyses revealed reduction in body weight, increased aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activity, hematological changes, and a thymus index reduction. These data suggest gastrointestinal and liver toxicity, anemia, leukopenia/lymphocytopenia, and immunosuppressive effects. Histopathological analysis revealed the weak hepatotoxicity of essential oil. In summary, essential oil of C. polyandrus displays in vivo antitumor activity and moderate toxicity.

The controvertible role of kava (Piper methysticum G. Foster) an anxiolytic herb, on toxic hepatitis

Kava is an anxiolytic herbal medicine used in the treatment of sleep and anxiety disorders. Some cases of kava-induced hepatotoxicity have been reported in the literature leading to its banishment in most countries worldwide. Clinically, the spectrum ranged from transient elevations of liver enzyme levels to fulminant liver failure and death. Liver transplantation was performed in a few cases. This paper provides a review of the currently available literature on kava-related toxic hepatitis which may result from its use, discusses the possible mechanisms for the potentially severe hepatotoxicity and describes some features which must be considered when adverse liver effects seem to be associated to kava administration. In conclusion, the incidence of kava toxicity on the liver remains to be investigated; however, some concerns before or during kava use are important, due to the possibility of severe liver dysfunction.

Kava é um fitoterápico ansiolítico usado no tratamento da insônia e da ansiedade. Alguns casos de hepatotoxicidade induzida pela kava foram relatados na literatura, levando à proibição do seu uso em muitos países. Clinicamente, o espectro dessas alterações variou de elevações transitórias das enzimas hepáticas, até à falência hepática fulminante e morte. Em alguns casos, realizou-se transplante hepático. Este artigo revisa a literatura atual sobre a hepatite tóxica provavelmente relacionada à kava, discute os possíveis mecanismos responsáveis pela hepatotoxicidade potencialmente grave e descreve alguns aspectos que devem ser considerados quando eventos adversos hepáticos pareçam ser relacionados à administração dessa substância. Conclui-se que a possível toxicidade hepática pela kava ainda deve ser investigada e que algumas medidas antes e durante o seu uso são importantes, dada a possibilidade de disfunção hepática grave.