title: Chelidonium majus is not hepatotoxic in Wistar rats, in a 4 weeks feeding experiment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aerial parts of Chelidonium majus L. (Papaveraceae family) are traditionally used in the treatment of gallstones and dyspepsia, however several cases of hepatotoxicity are reported. In this work we evaluated the effects on liver function of a C. majus extract, obtained from the herbal material responsible for one case of hepatotoxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experiments were performed in Wistar rats, after oral administration of doses corresponding to 1.5 and 3g/(kg day) of herbal drug, for 2 or 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected to perform biochemical analysis, whereas liver samples were used for histomorphological and immunohistochemical examination along with the determination of oxidative stress parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant modification in animal body weight, food consumption, enzyme activities, hepatic histomorphology and MDA formation, at either time or dosage level. Conversely, C. majus induced a slight but significant decrease of GSH levels and SOD activity, especially at the high dose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that C. majus, at doses about 50 and 100 times higher than those generally used in humans, does not alter hepatic function. However, the reduction in GSH levels and SOD activity suggests particular attention in use of C. majus or its preparations in situations (pharmacological treatments, physio-pathological conditions, etc.) that can compromise liver function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy. gabriela.mazzanti@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazzanti
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Sotto
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franchitto
authors.forename: Caterina Loredana
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Mammola
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mastrangelo
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Menniti-Ippolito
authors.forename: Annabella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vitalone
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D028281:Chelidonium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione