Toxicological and toxicogenetic effects of plants used in popular medicine and in cattle food

Abstract

Toxicological and toxicogenetic effects of aqueous (tea) and hexanic fruit extract of Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. and hydroalcoholic root extract of Solanum agrarium Stendt. were evaluated in Balb C male mice intraperitoneally exposed. A hepatotoxic effect was observed just for animals treated with aqueous fruit extract of I. suffruticosa. In relation to the toxicogenetic effect, just the group treated with 12.5% of toxic dose of aqueous fruit extract of I. suffruticosa showed a statistically significant increase in the frequency of cells with chromosome aberrations (cytogenetic effect), although a slight increase was also observed for the highest dose (25% of LD50) of hydroalcoholic root extract of S. agrarium. The results obtained show that before S. agrarium is used as medicine and before the wide use of I. suffruticosa in cattle food, careful evaluation must be done.

Effects of <i>Indigofera suffruticosa</i> Miller (Wild indigo) leaves aqueous extract subacute supplementation in mice

“…Silva et al, 2006). Aqueous fruit extract, intraperitoneally administered, showed liver damage with a significant number of cells with aberrations in Balb C mice (Ribeiro et al, 1991). Leaves and branches (in natura) daily administred to guinea pigs (for 15 days) in all the animals presented apathy and blue urine and anemia.…”

Erythrocyte Osmotic Fragility and Cytotoxic Activity of the Aqueous Extract of Leaves of Indigofera Suffruticosa Mill (Fabaceae)

“…Among these, toxicology seeks to investigate the diversity of chemical or physical agents and vegetal nature, during any periods of life. 4 The Allium cepa test is commonly used in toxicological assays, in studies with plant extracts, to evaluate macroscopic aspects such as alteration of color, shape and root size, in addition to microscopic characteristics such as alterations in the division of onion meristematic cells. 5 Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (Fabaceae) occurs abundantly in northeastern Brazil and has intense popular use in the treatment of infections, inflammations and other processes, showing no reports of side effects that are harmful to humans.…”

Estudo farmacobotânico de duas espécies de Anileira (Indigofera suffruticosa e Indigofera truxillensis, Leguminosae) com propriedades farmacológicas

“…As partes aéreas e as sementes de I. suffruticosa foram consideradas tóxicas em experimentos com bovinos, resultando em anemia hemolítica nos mesmos, além, de outras patologias encontradas no fígado e rim por intoxicação pelo consumo da planta (Barbosa Neto et al, 2001). Ribeiro et al (1991) encontraram efeitos hepatotóxicos após o consumo de pequena quantidade de extrato aquoso do fruto de I. suffruticosa por ratos, além de efeitos citotóxicos após o consumo de quantidades maiores. As partes vegetativas de I. truxillensis também foram consideradas tóxicas em experimentos com bovinos, resultando em taquicardia, anorexia e edema pulmonar (Tokarnia et al, 2000).…”