Subchronic toxicity of Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae) extract and p-synephrine in mice.
Extracts of Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae) unripe fruits have gained popularity for the treatment of obesity. Due to the wide use of C. aurantium/p-synephrine-containing products, this research was undertaken to evaluate its subchronic toxicity in mice and their actions in oxidative stress biomarkers. Groups of 9-10 mice received for 28 consecutive days a commercial C. aurantium dried extract (containing 7.5% p-synephrine) 400, 2000 or 4000 mg/kg and p-synephrine 30 or 300 mg/kg by oral gavage. There was a reduction in body weight gain of animals treated with both doses of p-synephrine. Organs relative weight, biochemical and hematological parameters were not altered in all treated mice. There was an increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in groups treated with C. aurantium 4000 mg/kg and p-synephrine 30 and 300 mg/kg. In glutathione peroxidase (GPx), there were an inhibition of the activity in C. aurantium 400 and 2000 mg/kg and p-synephrine 30 and 300 mg/kg treated animals, respectively, and was no alteration in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Thus, the results indicate a low subchronic toxicity of the tested materials in mice and a possible alteration in the oxidative metabolism. However, further tests are required to better elucidate the effects of these compounds in the antioxidant system.
Arbo
Marcelo Dutra
MD
Laboratório de Análises e Pesquisas Toxicológicas, Departamento de Análises, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 2752/605, Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil.
Schmitt
Gabriela Cristina
GC
Limberger
Mariana Fagundes
MF
Charão
Mariele Feiffer
MF
Moro
Angela Maria
AM
Ribeiro
Gianine Lima
GL
Dallegrave
Eliane
E
Garcia
Solange Cristina
SC
Leal
Mirna Bainy
MB
Limberger
Renata Pereira
RP
D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002957:Citrus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013578:Synephrine / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D036401:Toxicity Tests, Chronic
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione; D013578:Synephrine