Hosana Bandeira Santos

Estudo toxicológico agudo do extrato etanólico de partes aéreas de Jatropha gossypiifolia L. em ratos

The aim of this work was the assessment of acute oral toxicity of the ethanol extract (EE) of the aerial parts of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. This plant is used in folk medicine despite its classification as a toxic plant. Wistar rats were treated per oralis with single doses of EE [1.2 g/kg; 1.8 g/kg; 2.7 g/kg; 4.0 g/kg and 5.0 g/kg (w.b.)] and observed for 14 days. The most important signs of toxicity were: ptosis; reduction of body weight and hindlimb paralysis. Other sgnificant alterations occurred only in males treated with 5.0 g/kg (w.b.): increase of creatinine, AST, sodium and potassium seric levels; reduction of urea and albumin; leukopenia and small alterations in color and consistence of viscera. The LD50 value was higher than 4.0 g/kg (w.b.) for males and higher than 5.0 g/kg (w.b) for females. These results indicate a low oral acute toxicity, in relative terms, however it shows the importance of long-term toxicological studies of the EE from J. gossypiifolia.

Ensaios clínicos toxicológicos, fase I, de um fitoterápico composto (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Plectranthus amboinicus Lour e Eucalyptus globulus Labill)

In this study, phase I clinical toxicological assays of the herbal medicine composed of the medicinal plants Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Plectranthus amboinicus Lour and Eucaliptus globulus Labill were performed. The study was carried out at Hospital Universitario Lauro Wanderley/UFPB/PB/Brazil and for this purpose, 28 healthy volunteers were chosen, 14 men and 14 women who ingested 15 mL of the medicine per oral, with no interruption, three times a day; and on the 3rd and 7th days, on the 3rd and 6th weeks and 24h after the 8th week, clinical and laboratory evaluations were performed to analyze the acute and chronic toxicity. As results, the patients did not show significant clinical and laboratory alterations and adverse reactions, only little alterations were detected in blood through aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase in the female group to a p < 0.05; however, these values are according to the normality standard for adult individuals. It can be concluded that these data, complementary to those obtained with the preclinical studies, confirm the low toxicity of the herbal medicine.

PARÂMETROS BIOQUÍMICOS E HEMATOLÓGICOS DE RATOS WISTAR E CAMUNDONGOS SWISS DO BIOTÉRIO PROFESSOR THOMAS GEORGE

Objective: The objective of the present study was to establish reference values for the biochemical and hematological parameters of rodents from the Professor Thomas George animal laboratory of the Pharmaceutical Technology Laboratory, Federal University of Paraiba. Methodology: The parameters evaluated consisted of hematological profile with full blood and platelet counts, as well as serum components including glucose, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, total protein and protein fractions, alkaline phosphatase, transaminases, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Adult albino Wistar rats and Swiss mice (20 males and 20 females of each species), weighing 150-350 grams and 15-35 grams, respectively, were used in the study. Results: Variations were detected between values obtained in the animals and parameters established in the literature. In rats, leukocyte and eosinophile counts were lower, while in mice, platelet counts, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, globulin, calcium and magnesium levels were higher compared to data published in the literature. Conclusion: In conclusion, the physiological parameters of experimental animals should be well established and made available in view of the variations that may exist as a result of various factors such as sex, lineage and genotype of the rodents that must be taken into consideration in experimental studies. DESCRIPTORS Hematology. Biochemistry. Rats. Mice. Animal Technicians.

Estudo toxicológico pré-clínico agudo com o extrato hidroalcoólico das folhas de Cissus sicyoides L. (Vitaceae)

The aim of the study was to carry through pre-clinical toxicological assay to analyze the toxicity of the plant. In the inquiry of the LD50 groups of male Swiss rats (n = 10) were given orally 5.0 g/kg, and 2.0 g/kg intraperitoneally, of the water fraction of the leaves (WFL) of Cissus sicyoides L. Blood was removed through brachial plexus after seven days, for laboratory analysis of hematological and biochemical parameters. In the anatomopathological study, the animals had been examined macro and microscopically, with dissection of lung, heart, liver and kidneys. For analysis of the data techniques of descriptive and inferencial statistics had been used. In the evaluation of the hematological and biochemical parameters of the Swiss rats, alterations in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (FAL) had been detected, characterizing the demonstrated hepatic alterations in the histopathological study. In the histological evaluation of the ratss liver, submitted to the poisoning, reactionary hepatitis with chronic linfocity portite was proven and to lobular multifocal, hiperplasia kupferiana, focal collapses of the reticular tram, absence of fibrosis, absences of cellular atipias and reactionary subcapsulite. The acute pre-clinical toxicological study demonstrated hepatic alterations in rats.

Chronic toxicologic study of the ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Jatropha gossypiifolia in rats

This work presents the observed changes in Wistar rats under long treatment (thirteen weeks) with different oral doses of the ethanolic extract (EE) from Jatropha gossypiifolia L., Euphorbiaceae. The most significant toxic signs indicated a reduction of the activity in the central nervous system and digestive disturbances. The histopathological analysis shows hepatotoxity and pulmonary damages. The lethality was 46.6% among males under the higher experimental dose (405 mg/kg) and 13.3% both in females under the higher dose and among the animals treated with 135 mg/kg of the product. These data show the significant oral chronic toxicity of EE of J. gossypiifolia in rats.

Subacute toxicology studies on the aqueous fraction of the ethanol extract of the leaves of Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. (Menispermaceae) in dogs

Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. (Menispermaceae) has been investigated about its botanical, chemical, pharmacological and toxicological aspects in our laboratory. Previous acute toxicology studies demonstrated that in dogs as well as in Wistar rats, 5 g/kg, p.o., and 2 g/kg, i.p. of the aqueous fraction of the ethanol extract of the leaves of Cissampelos sympodialis (AFL), induced a significant increase in the phosphatase alkaline and gama glutamil tranferase (GGT) levels, that were completely reversed in 15 days after interruption of AFL treatment. The aim of the present work was to investigate the subacute toxicology effects induced by AFL in dogs. We used the methods proposed by Portaria 116/96 of the Secretaria Nacional de Vigilância Sanitaria, which regulates studies of toxicity for phytomedicines in Brazil. Daily administration (p.o.) of AFL, 45 mg/kg/day (5 times the dose used by human beings), during 4 weeks, was devoid of any effect on haematological (haemogram and platelets) and on blood biochemical parametes. In conclusion, the present study, using dogs, demonstrated that AFL, in a popularly used dose, by human beings, was devoid of any toxicological effect.

Subacute toxicological evaluation of hydroxydihydrocarvone in mice

Hydroxydihydrocarvone (HC) is a monoterpene analog prepared as a semisynthetic intermediate by hydration of the R-(–)-carvone monoterpene. Recent reports from studies carried out on HC have demonstrated its antinociceptive effect. However, no complete toxicological evaluation has yet been carried out with HC. The objective of the present work was to investigate a possible pharmacological tolerance in the hot plate test and the expression of toxic effects of HC (200 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice. During 28 days of treatment, the compound caused an increase in the reaction time of mice in the hot plate test and failed to produce catalepsy. HC caused a reduction in the rectal temperature of these animals and had no effect on water and food consumption or on their body weight compared to the control group. An increase in blood glucose levels was found during the second observation period; nevertheless, no biochemical abnormalities were encountered at the end of the HC treatment. In the hematological analysis, HC affected only neutrophil counts; however, all changes remained within the acceptable range for neutrophils in mice. In addition, no change was found in the weight of the liver, heart, or kidneys of the animals treated with HC compared to controls. Therefore, based on the results obtained, it is reasonable to assume that when administered for 28 days, HC exerts a central antinociceptive effect without causing pharmacological tolerance, and no significant toxicological alterations were observed during treatment.

Use of cabbage leaves (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) in the stabilization of bone mass after menopause

This work evaluates the use of cabbage leaves, Brassica oleracea var acephala (Cruciferae family) to stabilize bone mass in 13 menopausal women. The mature leaves were used after removal of the midrib and petiole and taken as a juice and given to the patient once a day for 24 months. Densitometric exams were performed every six months. The measurement points were the Trocanter and Wards triangle. According to the results found, the use of cabbage leaf juice results in bone mass stabilization at the points studied, with perspectives for its use as an important option in disease prevention.