Evaluation of subchronic toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract of Tropaeolum majus in Wistar rats.
BACKGROUND
The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases usually comes from the belief that they present low toxicity due their natural origin. However, it is necessary a toxicological and pharmacological evaluation for these plants. Tropaeolum majus is a medicinal plant used in popular medicine to treat several diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, urinary tract infections and asthma. Even though several studies proved its therapeutic effects, there are few toxicological studies with this species.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was carried out to evaluate the subchronic toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract obtained from leaves of T. majus (HETM) in Wistar rats.


METHODS
Male and female Wistar rats received three doses of HETM (75, 375 and 750 mg/kg) for 28 days. After the treatments biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters were analyzed.


RESULTS
No significant alterations in the animal's body weight gain, relative organs weight, serum biochemical analysis, hematological or histopathological analyses of liver, kidneys and spleen were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate the absence of subchronic toxicity due to oral treatment with HETM for 28 days in Wistar rats. However, other toxicological studies are necessary to evaluate the total safety of this plant.
Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Caroline
C
Gomes
Emerson Luiz Botelho
EL
Lourenço
Érica Barbosa
ÉB
Liuti
Aline Oliveira
AO
Duque
Fabiola
F
Nihi
Ana Carolina
AC
Lourenço
Tatiane Camacho
TC
Mendes
Arquimedes
A
Gasparotto Junior
Paulo Roberto
PR
Dalsenter
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects*; D032388:Tropaeolum / Q000633:toxicity
D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts