Assessment of acute and sub-chronic neurotoxicity of Morus alba L. fruits in rodents

Abstract

Background Morus alba L. fruits are consumed since long for their nutritional and medicinal values. Although there were studies on the neuroprotective activity of the fruit extract, safety profile of the fruit extract is not yet explored as per the recommended standard guidelines over the central nervous system (CNS). The present work was aimed to assess the neurotoxicity profile of chemically characterized extract of M. alba L. fruits (MA) using validated OECD guidelines, i.e., 425 and 424 in rodents. Results Neurobehavioural parameters were examined for motor, sensory and behavioural responses using actophotometer, hot plate and light and dark box test, respectively as per OECD 424. Interestingly, no sign of mortality and/or adversity on mice treated per-orally with MA (2000 mg/kg) was observed during the limit test as per OECD 425. Further, rats treated with MA (1000, 300 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 28 days, showed insignificant (p < 0.05) changes in body weight, food consumption, neurobehavioural responses, organ weights and biochemical, haematological and histopathological features when compared with vehicle-treated animals. Conclusion The outcome of findings suggests that MA is safe in acute oral as well as sub-chronic (28 days) administration in mice and rats respectively. MA (1000 mg/kg) did not pose any toxic sign and symptoms on neurobehavioural responses in rats even after 28 days repeated treatment in compliance with OECD 424.

Morus alba L. Plant: Bioactive Compounds and Potential as a Functional Food Ingredient

“…No indication of renal toxicity was observed, as the levels of renal-function biomarkers (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, glucose, and albumin) were within normal ranges. The histological analysis confirmed that no morphological changes or internal injuries appeared, even at the highest oral dose of M. alba fruit (1000 mg/kg) throughout 28 days, indicating the safe consumption of M. alba fruit [ 107 ]. However, this study was not associated with neurochemical estimation.…”

“…Furthermore, an in vivo neurobehavioral study of M. alba fruit (100, 300, 1000 mg/kg) showed no significant effect on the general health, metabolism, and growth of mice based on their alertness, body weight, daily food and water intake, and organ weight [ 107 ]. The low liver toxicity biomarkers, ALT and aspartate transaminase (AST), indicated a nondetrimental effect of M. alba fruit on liver.…”

Antiviral phytocompounds “ellagic acid” and “(+)-sesamin” of Bridelia retusa identified as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CL pro using extensive molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation studies, binding free energy calculations, and bioactivity prediction

“…Also, BR13 has the lowest LD 50 (1500 mg/kg body weight) among the three compounds. The experimental LD 50 of medicinal plants and polyherbal formulations showed a lower LD 50 value than BR6 and BR13 [ 55 – 57 ]. BR6 and BR13 can be considered safe and therefore, they are subjected to further studies.…”

MicroRNAs-Based Theranostics against Anesthetic-Induced Neurotoxicity

“…Moreover, the detection of neurotoxicity needs repetitive studies (via suitable clinical models), high-throughput screening, and a search for relevant therapeutic criteria. Conventionally, neurotoxicity can be detected by observing the changes in individual behavior (or physical activity), electrophysiology, and histopathological processing of brain tissues [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. However, these traditional neurotoxicity assessments are often associated with invasive sampling or lack of sensitivity, specificity, quantitative matrix, preclinical detection, targeted therapeutic approaches, and lack of understanding of etiology connections (or mechanisms) [ 18 ].…”