Sub-chronic toxicity evaluation of Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) schott, leaf extract in albino rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the acute and sub-chronic toxicities of ethanol leaf extract of Dryopteris filix-mas. Acute toxicity and phytochemical tests on ethanol leaf extract were determined. In sub-chronic toxicity test, animals were treated with 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of extract every day for 90 days. Blood samples were collected via retro-orbital puncture for baseline studies and at 31, 61 and 91 st days for determination of hematological, kidney and liver function parameters. Liver and kidneys were harvested for histopathology analyses on 91 st day. Also, a 28 day recovery study was carried out to determine reversibility in toxicological effects. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, reducing sugar and cardiac glycosides. Acute toxicity test did not show toxicity or death at 5000 mg/kg. There was significant (p<0.005) reduction in white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, significant (p<0.05) increase in some liver and kidney biomarkers as well as alterations in liver and kidney histo-architecture on 91 st days in animals that were treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg extract. However, toxicities observed on 91 st day were reversible in recovery studies. The leaf extract of Dryopteris filix-mas may be hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic when used for long periods.

Nutritional and Antioxidant Potential of Fiddleheads from European Ferns

“…In the case of Macrothelypteris torresiana , no acute toxicity was observed at 2000 mg·kg −1 , along with no changes in hematological and biochemical parameters [ 52 ]. The acute and sub-chronic toxicity of Dryopteris filix-mas ethanol leaf extract was evaluated [ 53 ]. From the genus Dryopteris , whose extracts and rhizomes were used in the past as anthelmintic agents, unusual acylphloroglucinols (albaspidins, pentherin-I, flavaspidic, and filixic acids) were isolated [ 54 , 55 ].…”

“…However, the acute toxicity test of D. filix-mas extract using albino rats did not show toxicity or death at 5000 mg·kg −1 . And although the sub-chronic evaluation revealed potential hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of the extract when used for long periods at 250 and 500 mg·kg −1 , these toxicities were reversible in recovery studies [ 53 ]. Similarly, no acute toxicity was observed for Dryopteris crassirhizoma below 2000 mg·kg −1 , along with no genotoxicity observed in bacterial reverse mutation, chromosomal aberration, and bone marrow micronucleus tests [ 56 ].…”