Sub-chronic toxicity of ethanol leaf extract of Syzygium guineense on the biochemical parameters and histopathology of liver and kidney in the rats

Effects of Lebanese Folk Herbs on Adult Male Rats: Hepatic and Renal Toxicity, Histological, and Biochemical Studies

Background/Objectives:Lepidium sativum, Ferula hermonis, Origanum majorana, and Eruca sativa are frequently consumed as a traditional Middle Eastern medicine to promote health and treat various diseases. However, concerns have been raised about their possible harmful effect in humans. Limited research has examined their chronic toxicity in rats, and their combined exposure effects are still unknown. Hence, this research aimed to evaluate their potential hepato- and nephrotoxic effects. Methods: Aqueous extracts of the selected plants, with a dose of 100 mg/kg, were administered separately and as a mixture daily for 60 days. Blood and tissue were sampled from 28 rats, and organ weight, biochemical markers for kidney and liver function, and histopathological examination were assessed. Results: The results indicated increased liver weight, liver and kidney malondialdehyde, alanine transaminase, and urea, and decreased serum creatinine and kidney glutathione levels. Additionally, histological examinations showed liver and kidney architectural damage. Further, the extent of toxicity varied among the plants. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results revealed that the corresponding plant extracts' oral administration affects biological functions and promotes liver and kidney oxidative damage in rats, with FH and ES exhibiting the highest level of liver toxicity and ES and MIX showing the highest level of kidney toxicity.

Ethnobotany, bioactive compounds and pharmacology of Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants possess the ability to synthesize a diverse array of primary and secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites are of great importance as a result of their status as natural substances that have the potential to provide therapeutic benefits for human health. Due to its many uses in traditional medicine, Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC extracts have been the subject of numerous pharmacological studies. African traditional medicine uses it to treat a variety of ailments, including epilepsy, diarrhea, stomach pain, malaria, coughs, fractures, wounds, asthma, sore throats, intercostal pain, and as a tonic. No comprehensive reviews of S. guineense have been found, according to our literature search. Consider the great potential of S. guineense to serve as valuable sources of discovery of medicinal substances.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study compiles ethnobotany, bioactive compounds, and pharmacology of Syzygium guineense.

METHODS

Research publications have been searched utilizing the following platforms: Elsevier, Springer, Google Scholar, Taylor & Francis, Pub med, and Scopus. Research the terms "Syzygium guineense," "chemical composition," "antioxidant," "antibacterial," "anti-diabetic," "anticancer" and any other relevant terms.

RESULTS

Traditionally, S. guineense parts has been used to cure thirty different diseases including malaria, cough and diabetes among others. Contains 205 different compounds between the class of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids and many more. From the pharmacological point of view, it has been reported to possess strong antibacterial, antimalarial, antihypertensive, anti-tuberculosis, anthelmintic, anti-venom, antiulcer, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties. No observable toxic effect was recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

This review showcases the various biological activities together with its safety profile back up the traditional uses and point to the possible use of the S. guineense compound as a natural therapeutic tool. To confirm the results of preclinical studies, additional well-designed clinical trials are required to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of S. guineense in humans.

Diospyros kaki fruit aqueous extract individual/combined with famotidine mitigates peptic ulcer induced by alcohol in rats

The present study was performed to evaluate the therapeutic impact of Diospyros kaki fruit aqueous extract (DKFAE) on ethanol induced peptic ulcer. The phytochemical studies of DKFAE were investigated using colorometric analysis. Gastric ulcer was induced by one dose of ethanol (5 ml/Kg, b.w) on 24 h empty stomach. Then, the plant extract (200, 400 mg/kg) was orally administrated for 2 weeks. Famotidine (FAM: 40 mg/kg, b.w.): a reference drug was also tested. The effect of mixture dose between the fruit extract and FAM (DKFAE, 50 mg/kg PC, p.o. + FAM, 50 mg/kg PC, p.o.) was also evaluated. One hour after induction of ulcer blood samples were collected, stomach acidity and volume, as well as lesion counts were measured, then stomach and intestine of scarified rats were subjected to biochemical, macroscopic and microscopic studies. Results showed that DKFAE exhibited an important antioxidant potential. In vivo, the results showed that alcohol induced gastric damage, improving oxidative stress markers level such as MDA and H2O2, gastric and intestinal calcium and free iron. The intoxication by ethanol also produce an inflammation occurred by high level of the C-reactive protein (CRP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in plasma. In contrast, DKFAE and the mixture dose significantly protect against macroscopic and histological injuries, the secretory profile disturbances, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes activities and non enzymatic antioxidant level decrease induced by ethanol administration. More impressively, the mixture dose exerted the more excellent effect than DKFAE and famotidine each alone showing is possible synergism.

Exploring the multifaceted effects of Ammi visnaga: subchronic toxicity, antioxidant capacity, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities

Ammi visnaga (A. visnaga) is an annual herb that has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments attributed to the presence of its bioactive compounds. The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the phytochemical properties of the hydroalcoholic extract of A. visnaga using in vitro and in vivo models. Our findings demonstrated that the extract contained a variety of beneficial components, including phenols, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, saponins, khellin, and visnagin. The total polyphenolic content and total flavonoid content were 23.26 mg/GAE/g dry weight and 13.26 mg/GAE/g dry weight, respectively. In vitro tests demonstrated that the extract possessed antioxidant properties as evidenced by the ability to scavenge free radicals, including DPPH, ABTS, nitric oxide (NO), phosphomolybdate, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Further, the extract was found to inhibit hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced hemolysis. In a 90-d in vivo study, female Wistar rats were administered 1 g/kg of A. visnaga extract orally resulting in a significant increase in total white blood cell count. Although morphological changes were observed in the liver, no marked alterations were noted in kidneys and spleen. In a female Swiss albino mice model of acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, A. visnaga significantly inhibited extravasations of Evans blue at doses of 0.5 or 1 g/kg with inhibition percentages of 51 and 65%, respectively, blocking tissue necrosis. The extract also demonstrated potential immunomodulatory properties in mice by enhancing antibody production in response to antigens. In silico molecular docking studies demonstrated a strong affinity between khellin or visnagin and immunomodulatory proteins, NF-κB, p52, and TNF-α. These findings suggest that A. visnaga may be considered a beneficial antioxidant with immunomodulatory properties and might serve as a therapeutic agent to combat certain diseases.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Anticancer, and Antibacterial Activities of Roots and Seeds of Ammi visnaga L. Methanol Extract

For centuries, plants and their components have been harnessed for therapeutic purposes, with Ammi visnaga L. (Khella) being no exception to this rich tradition. While existing studies have shed light on the cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties of seed extracts, there remains a noticeable gap in research about the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer potential of root extracts. This study seeks to address this gap by systematically examining methanol extracts derived from the roots of A. visnaga L. and comparing their effects with those of seed extracts specifically against breast cancer cells. Notably, absent from previous investigations, this study focuses on the comparative analysis of the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of both root and seed extracts. The methanol extract obtained from A. visnaga L. seeds demonstrated a notably higher level of total phenolic content (TPC) than its root counterpart, measuring 366.57 ± 2.86 and 270.78 ± 2.86 mg GAE/g dry weight of the dry extract, respectively. In the evaluation of antioxidant activities using the DPPH method, the IC50 values for root and seed extracts were determined to be 193.46 ± 17.13 μg/mL and 227.19 ± 1.48 μg/mL, respectively. Turning our attention to cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), both root and seed extracts displayed similar cytotoxic activities, with IC50 values of 92.45 ± 2.14 μg/mL and 75.43 ± 2.32 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, both root and seed extracts exhibited a noteworthy modulation of gene expression, upregulating the expression of caspase and Bax mRNA levels while concurrently suppressing the expression of anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-xL and Bcl-2), thereby reinforcing their potential as anticancer agents. A. visnaga L. seed extract outperforms the root extract in antimicrobial activities, exhibiting lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 3.81 ± 0.24 to 125 ± 7.63 μg/mL. This highlights the seeds' potential as potent antibacterial agents, expanding their role in disease prevention. Overall, this study underscores the diverse therapeutic potentials of A. visnaga L. roots and seeds, contributing to the understanding of plant-derived extracts in mitigating disease risks.

Toxic effect of Syzygium guineense ethanolic extract on female reproduction in rats: An evidence from a 10 week repeated-dose toxicity study

Introduction

It has been reported that some herbal products affect reproduction. To date, reproductive toxicity of Syzygium guineense has not been investigated although the plant is widely used in treating fertility related problems. Thus, the objective of the current study was to investigate the toxic effects of 70% ethanol extract of S. guineense leaves on the reproductive function and histopathology of reproductive organs in female rats.

Methods

Eighty female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups where each group consisted of 20 rats. Rats in the first three groups were treated with S. guineense extract at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The fourth group served as a control group. The rats were treated for ten consecutive weeks. The length of estrous cycle, reproductive indices, pregnancy outcomes, and number of postnatal deaths were recorded. At necropsy, organ weight was measured, gross and histopathological examinations of ovaries, uterus, and vagina were conducted.

Results

Treatment of rats, with high dose (1000 mg/kg) of S. guineense, significantly prolonged the duration of estrous cycle and reduced weight of uterus and ovaries as well as the number of total and live birth pups. However, there were no significant changes observed in reproductive indices and gross morphology as well as histopathology of ovaries, uterus, and vagina.

Conclusion

Administration of high doses of S. guineense could be toxic to some aspects of the reproductive system of female rats and might also affect reproduction. Therefore, consuming high dose of S. guineense leaves is not recommended.

Sub-chronic toxicity of the aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst. ex Benth on biochemical parameters and histopathology of liver and kidney in rats: in vivo and in- silico toxicity studies

BACKGROUND

The aerial part of Ocimum lamiifolium is commonly used in Ethiopian traditional medicine. Although this plant is mostly used in traditional medicine, its safety profile has not been documented yet. The aim of this study was to assess the sub-chronic toxicity of O. lamiifolium aqueous extract in rats and to determine the toxicity profile of GC-MS identified bioactive compounds obtained from essential oil of O. lamiifolium using in silico toxicity methods.

METHODS

Eighty rats (40 male and 40 female) were randomly assigned to four groups of ten rats per sex/group. For 90 days, Groups I-III received 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg bw of aqueous extract of O. lamiifolium, respectively. Distilled water was given to Group IV (control). Clinical observations, food intake, and rat weight were all recorded during the experiment. In addition, several biochemical parameters, organ weight, and histology of the liver and kidney were all evaluated. For the in-silico toxicity study, GC-MS identified bioactive compounds in O. lamiifolium essential oil were obtained from published articles. The compounds two-dimensional structures were constructed using Chemdraw. The two-dimensional structures were converted into a simplified molecular input line entry system (SMILES) using the Swiss ADMET web tool. Furthermore, the toxicity parameters were predicted using the ProTox II server.

RESULTS

The administration of an aqueous extract of O. lamiifolium leaves significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the test animals' food intake and body weight gain. In the high dose (600 mg/kg bw) treated group, the serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05). In female rats given 600 mg/kg bw of O. lamiifolium, the levels of serum urea were also increased. In addition, rats given 600 mg/kg bw had significantly lower blood glucose levels than the control group (p < 0.05). Doses up to 400 mg/kg bw didn't bring a significant change to the histology of the liver. However, in the high dose (600 mg/kg bw) treated group, some female rats' livers showed mild sinusoidal and central vein dilatation, as well as parenchymal necrosis. our findings showed that all compounds derived from the essential oil of O. lamiifolium showed no mutagenicity or cytotoxicity. However, 30% of the compounds tested were hepatotoxic, 20% carcinogenic, and 20% immunotoxin.

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed that oral administration of O. lamiifoliums aqueous extract up to a dose of 400 mg/kg bw is not toxic. However, high-dose (600 mg/kg bw) significantly affected the food consumption and weight gain of the experimental rats and the serum concentration of some liver and kidney enzymes were also significantly increased. Additionally, a considerable proportion of the tested compounds were predicted to be hepatotoxic, carcinogenic and immunotoxin. Furthermore, before employing O. lamiifolium preparations as drugs, a chronic toxicity research on the essential oil as well as its components that exhibited toxicity in the in-silico toxicity study is needed. Finally, use high doses of O. lamiifolium leaves with caution.

Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Rhamnus prinoides Leaves on Histopathology of Liver, Kidney, and Brain Tissues, and Biochemical Profile of Rats

Rhamnus prinoides is used as a traditional medicinal plant to treat pneumonia, sprain, gonorrhea, rheumatism, and ringworm infections as well as for the preparation of local beverages in Ethiopia. It has a widespread antioxidant, antimalarial, antimicrobial, wound healing, and anti-inflammatory activities. These activities are due to the presence of alkaloids, steroids, triterpenes, tannins, flavonoids, flavones, phenols, and glycosides. This study aimed to investigate acute and subacute toxicity of R. prinoides leaves on histopathology of the liver, kidney, and brain tissues, and biochemical profiles of rats. For the acute toxicity study, female rats were treated with R. prinoides at a dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight and followed-up for 14 days. In the subacute toxicity study, four groups of rats were used. The first three groups, respectively, received 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight of R. prinoides extract and the fourth group was a control group. Signs of toxicity, food intake, and weight was recorded. At necropsy, organ weight measurement and macroscopic and microscopic evaluations of the liver, kidney, and brain were carried out. Different clinical chemistry profiles of rats were also measured. Single-dose oral administration of R. prinoides extract at 5000 mg/kg produced no mortality indicating the LD₅₀ is greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. A four week administration of R. prinoides extract did not bring deleterious outcomes on the food consumption and weight gain of rats. Moreover, gross examination, histopathological evaluation, and weight measurement conducted on the liver, kidney, and brain did not reveal treatment related changes. The biochemical analysis showed no significant difference between the treatment and control groups. Consumption of R. prinoides leaf for 4 weeks might not have a toxic effect in rats. However, further investigations upon long-term administration should be conducted to have a wider safety margin.

Prenatal Developmental Toxicity and Histopathological Changes of the Placenta Induced by Syzygium guineense Leaf Extract in Rats

Many of the traditional herbal products are served to the consumer without proper efficacy and safety investigations. A laboratory-based experimental study was employed to investigate the toxic effects of Syzygium guineense leaf extract on the fetal development and histopathology of the placenta in rats. Fifty pregnant Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated into five groups, each consisting of 10 rats. S. guineense leaf extract, at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of body weight, was respectively administered to groups I-III rats. Groups four and five were control and ad libitum control, respectively. The number of resorptions, implantation sites, and live or dead fetuses was counted. The weight and crown-rump length of the fetuses were measured. The histopathological investigation of the placenta was conducted. Administration of 70% ethanol extract of S. guineense leaves reduced weight gain and food intake of pregnant rats at p value <0.05. The crown-rump length of the near-term rat fetus was significantly reduced in rats treated with 1000 mg/kg body weight of S. guineense extract (p value <0.05). The plant extract did not affect the number of implantations, fetal resorptions, live births, and stillbirths. The weight of the fetuses and the placentae also decreased dose-dependently. Decidual cystic degeneration was the most prevalent histopathological change observed in a rat's placenta treated with 1000 mg/kg body weight of S. guineense extract. Consumption of S. guineense leaves, especially at a high dose, may affect fetal development. Therefore, liberal use of S. guineense leaves during pregnancy should be avoided.