Baccharis trimera: effect on hematological and biochemical parameters and hepatorenal evaluation in pregnant rats.
OBJECTIVE
This investigation evaluated the effect of a hydroethanolic extract of Baccharis trimera on pregnant Wistar rats, once the plant is well-known consumed in pregnancy and little is known on its potentially toxic effects on pregnant women.


METHODS
Thirty-five female rats were distributed into three groups. Those in treatments 1 and 2 were given 8.4 mg/kg of the extract orally from gestational day (GD) 1 to 19 and from GD 6 to 15, respectively, whereas those in the control group received distilled water orally from GD 1 to 19. Body weights were recorded on GD 1, 6, 15, and 20. On GD 20 animals were anesthetized, blood samples were collected and maternal livers, kidneys, and spleens were weighed and processed for histological studies.


RESULTS
No clinical signs of maternal toxicity and no changes in hematological parameters were observed. Urea levels and kidney weights differed significantly between animals receiving treatment 1 and controls. Histopathological alterations were found in kidneys and livers in both treatment groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The hydroethanolic extract of Baccharis trimera administered to pregnant rats at 8.4 mg/kg was toxic to maternal kidney and liver cells, although such alterations are reversible once administration is discontinued.
Grance
Simone Reschke Mendes
SR
Program in Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Cx. Postal 549, Campo Grande, MS 79070-900, Brazil. simonermg@yahoo.com.br
Teixeira
Maria Araújo
MA
Leite
Roseana Silveira
RS
Guimarães
Eurípedes Batista
EB
de Siqueira
João Máximo
JM
de Oliveira Filiu
Wander Fernando
WF
de Souza Vasconcelos
Simone Bertozi
SB
do Carmo Vieira
Maria
M
D000818:Animals; D031175:Baccharis / Q000633:toxicity*; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood
D010936:Plant Extracts; D014508:Urea