Acute and subacute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Alibertia edulis (Rich.) A. Rich. ex DC. in rats.
BACKGROUND
Alibertia edulis, popularly known as "marmelo do Cerrado" is a native plant from the brazilian Cerrado. It has high food and ornamental potential and the tea leaves are currently used as hypoglycemic, antihypertensive and diuretic.


OBJECTIVE
In order to evaluate the safety of the aqueous extract of Alibertia edulis leaves (AEAE), the acute and subacute toxicity tests were performed in male and female Wistar albino rats.


METHODS
The experiments were performed in accordance with the OECD guidelines 425 and 407. For the acute toxicity, one single dose of the AEAE (2000mg/kg) was administered by gavage to five female rats. The animals were observed for 14 days for any signs of toxicity and death. In the subacute toxicity, four different doses (125, 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg) of the AEAE were administered to male and female rats for 28 consecutive days. A satellite group received the maximum dose (1000mg/kg) for 28 days and remained untreated for 14 more days in order to observe reversibility, persistence, or delayed occurrence of toxic effects. The five parameters of the Hippocratic screening, body weight, food and water intake were daily observed. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for the hematological and biochemical analysis. The vital and reproductive organs were inspected for any histopathological changes.


RESULTS
No deaths or behavioral changes were observed during both experiments as well as no changes on organ weights, biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters that could indicate any signs of toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
All doses tested can be considered safe in rats and the LD50is higher than 2000mg/kg. Therefore, further assessments are required in order to proceed to clinical studies in humans.
Faculty of Biological and Enviromental Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Electronic address: saratolouei@gmail.com.
Sara Emilia Lima Tolouei
SE
Menegati
Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Fernando
F
Freitas de Lima
Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Giseli Karenina
GK
Traesel
Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Roosevelt Isaias Carvalho
RI
Souza
Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Ariany Carvalho
AC
Dos Santos
Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Diana Figueiredo
DF
de Santana Aquino
University Center of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Vinícius Soares
VS
de Oliveira
Course of Chemistry, State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Silvia Cristina
SC
Heredia Vieira
Course of Chemistry, State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Claudia Andrea Lima
CA
Cardoso
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Maria do Carmo
MD
Vieira
Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Silvia Aparecida
SA
Oesterreich
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019666:Rubiaceae / Q000633:toxicity*; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute / Q000379:methods; D059551:Toxicity Tests, Subacute / Q000379:methods
D010936:Plant Extracts
Medicinal plants; Preclinical trials; Secondary metabolites; Toxicology; marmelo do Cerrado