Toxicity assessment of saline extract and lectin-rich fraction from Microgramma vacciniifolia rhizome

Authors da Silva, Gabriela Cavalcante; de Oliveira, Alisson Macario; Barbosa Machado, Janaina Carla; Assuncao Ferreira, Magda Rhayanny; de Medeiros, Paloma Lys; Lira Soares, Luiz Alberto; de Souza, Ivone Antonia; Guedes Paiva, Patricia Maria; Napoleao, Thiago Henrique

Journal TOXICON , NOV 2020,:187

DOI 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.08.021 PubMed 32890585

Abstract Microgramma vacciniifolia is broadly used in folk medicine but safety information is unavailable. Therefore, we evaluated the toxicity of a saline extract and a lectin-rich fraction of M. vacciniifolia rhizome. The extract showed hemolytic activity on mice erythrocytes at 1000 ug/mL, whereas the fraction promoted hemolysis (8.57-26.15%) at all tested concentrations (10-1000 mu g/mL). Acute toxicity test in mice indicated an LD 50 of >5000 mg/kg. Hematological alterations and increased serum alkaline phosphatase level were observed in the treated animals. Transaminases and urea levels increased in the groups treated with the extract or fraction at 5000 mg/kg. Leukocyte infiltration was observed in the liver of extract-treated animals and in the liver and lungs of mice treated with the fraction. The kidneys of animals treated with the fraction at 5000 mg/kg presented hydmpic degeneration. The extract and fraction did not induce oxidative stress in the liver and did not show genotoxicity, as examined by micronucleus and comet assays. In conclusion, the preparations were not lethal to mice but caused some signs of toxicity, mainly the fraction. The results indicated the need to evaluate the toxicity of M. vacciniifolia rhizome in other models and in chronic assays.