The toxicological effects of Eryngium foetidum extracts on zebrafish embryos and larvae depend on the type of extract, dose, and exposure time.

Abstract

Eryngium foetidum is a herbaceous plant found in tropical and subtropical regions. In vivo pharmacological parameters show that leaf extracts of this plant have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities due to their bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenols. Despite the evidence for several bioactivities of E. foetidum, information on its safety and tolerability is limited. The objective of this study was to assess the effect and concentration of different extracts of E. foetidum on the development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. To study the impact of aqueous (AE), ethanolic (EE), and methanolic (ME) extracts, the embryos were exposed to 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg mL−1 for up to 120-h postfertilization to assess embryonic developmental toxicity and then to 0.039, 0.078, 0.156, 0.312, and 0.625 mg mL−1 to assess the antioxidant responses of the enzymes superoxide dismutase catalase, glutathione S-transferase (GST), and cell apoptosis. The results showed that, depending on the extraction solvent, concentration used, and exposure time, E. foetidum extracts caused mortality, altered the hatching time, and promoted changes in enzymatic activities. Delays in development and increased GST activity were found in all treatments. Apoptosis was not observed in any of the treatments. In conclusion, AE, EE, and ME concentrations above 0.625 mg mL−1 can cause adverse effects on the early stages of zebrafish development.

Unlocking the Potential of In Vitro Photoautotrophy for Eryngium foetidum: Biomass, Morphophysiology, and Acclimatization

“…Eryngium foetidum L. (Apiaceae family), commonly known as culantro, is a biennial herb with an erect growth habit, featuring a rosette of long spatulate spiny-toothed leaves and reaching a height of 10-50 cm after inflorescence development. It is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions [1,2]. This species serves a dual purpose, functioning Horticulturae 2024, 10, 107 2 of 14 both as a food source (unconventional seasoning vegetable) and a traditional medicine in Latin America, the Central and Pacific Islands, Africa, and Asia [3].…”

Macroscopical, Microscopical and Histochemical Analysis of Eryngium karatavicum Iljin Growing on the Territory of South Kazakhstan

“…It is the largest and possibly the most taxonomically complex genus of the Apiaceae family [ 2 ]. Preparations of different Eryngium species are used in folk medicine, as they have the following therapeutic actions: antioxidant [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], anti-inflammatory [ 11 ], cytotoxic [ 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], antibacterial [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], antifungal [ 19 ], diuretic [ 11 ], antiallergic [ 11 ], etc. Today, the need to develop the technology of medicines from raw materials of unexplored endemic medicinal plant species of Kazakhstan is an urgent task of domestic pharmacy [ 22 ].…”