Biochemical and hematological effects of acute and sub-acute administration to ethyl acetate fraction from the stem bark Scutia buxifolia Reissek in mice.
BACKGROUND
Scutia buxifolia is a native tree of Southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, which is popularly known as "coronilha" and it is used as a cardiotonic, antihypertensive and diuretic substance. The aim of this study was to assess the acute and sub-acute toxicity of the ethyl acetate fraction from the stem bark Scutia buxifolia in male and female mice.


METHODS
The toxicity studies were based on the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD-guidelines 423 and 407). In an acute study, a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of Scutia buxifolia was administered orally to male and female mice. Mortality, behavioral changes, and biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated. In the sub-acute study, Scutia buxifolia was administered orally to male and female mice at doses of 100, 200, and 400mg/kg/day for 28 days. Behavioral changes and biochemical, hematological, and histological analysis were evaluated.


RESULTS
The acute administration of Scutia buxifolia did not cause changes in behavior or mortality. Male and female mice presented decreased levels of platelets. Female mice presented decreased levels of leukocytes. On the other hand, in a sub-acute toxicity study, we observed no behavioral changes in male or female mice. Our results demonstrated a reduction in glucose levels in male mice treated to 200 and 400mg/kg of Scutia buxifolia. Aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) activity was increased by Scutia buxifolia at 400mg/kg in male mice. In relation to the hematological parameters, male mice presented a reduction in hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT) when treated to 400mg/kg of plant fraction. Female mice showed no change in these parameters. Histopathological examination of liver tissue showed slight abnormalities that were consistent with the biochemical variations observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Scutia buxifolia, after acute administration, may be classified as safe (category 5), according to the OECD guide. However, the alterations observed, after sub-acute administration with high doses of ethyl acetate fraction from the stem bark Scutia buxifolia, suggest that repeated administration of this fraction plant can cause adverse hepatic, renal, and hematological effects.
Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Andreia R H
AR
da Silva
Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Laís da R
Lda R
Moreira
Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Evelyne da S
Eda S
Brum
Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Mayara L
ML
de Freitas
Departamento de Farmácia Industrial, Laboratório de Pesquisa Fitoquímica, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Aline A
AA
Boligon
Departamento de Farmácia Industrial, Laboratório de Pesquisa Fitoquímica, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Margareth L
ML
Athayde
Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Regional Integrada do Alto Uruguai e das Missões, Campus de Erechim, Erechim, RS, Brazil.
Silvane S
SS
Roman
Departamento de Clínica de Pequenos Animais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Cinthia M
CM
Mazzanti
Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: ricardo_br79@yahoo.com.br.
Ricardo
R
Brandão
D000085:Acetates / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D018547:Plant Stems; D027823:Rhamnaceae; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D059551:Toxicity Tests, Subacute
D000085:Acetates; D006454:Hemoglobins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; C007650:ethyl acetate; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases
Acute toxicity; Caffeic acid (PubChem CID: 689043); Catechin (PubChem CID: 9064); Chlorogenic acid (PubChem CID: 1794427); Ellagic acid (PubChem CID: 5281855); Epicatechin (PubChem CID: 72276); Gallic acid (PubChem CID: 370); Isoquercitrin (PubChem CID: 5280804); Kaempferol (PubChem CID: 5280863); Mice; Quercetin (PubChem CID: 5280343); Quercitrin (PubChem CID: 5280459); Rhamnaceae; Rutin (PubChem CID: 5280805); Scutia buxifolia; Stem bark; Sub-acute toxicity