Acute toxicity of Galium odoratum to the freshwater cladoceran Moina macrocopa

Mariam Bozhilova

doi:10.3897/silvabalcanica.22.e77816

Abstract

Galium odoratum (L.) is a medicinal plant with a number of health benefits, used in traditional and modern medicine. The toxicity of the coumarin in Galium odoratum is classified as high, however, no experimental data or data on toxic effects in humans following intake of Galium odoratum are available. The potential toxic effect can be estimated based on the content of coumarin and knowledge of its toxicity. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the acute toxicity effects of a range of concentrations of Galium odoratum water extract on Moina macrocopa and calculate the LC50 within 24 hours. In order to compare the toxicity with those of other, well-known and widely used medicinal plants, extracts of Matricaria chamomilla and Tribulus terrestris are also tested.&nbsp; The results show that LC50 value of Galium odoratum is comparable with those of Matricaria chamomilla and Tribulus terrestris, and Galium odoratum has intermediate toxicity between the two other studied species.&nbsp;

Highlights

Galium odoratum (L.) is a perennial herbaceous plant, naturally occurring in Europe, Asia and Northern Africa
The aim of the current study is to evaluate the acute toxicity effects of a range of concentrations of Galium odoratum water extract on Moina macrocopa and calculate the LC50 within 24 hours
Dry aboveground biomass of Matricaria chamomilla and Tribulus terrestris was purchased from a recognized producer of Bulgarian medicinal plants

Summary

Introduction

Galium odoratum (L.) is a perennial herbaceous plant, naturally occurring in Europe, Asia and Northern Africa It is used for centuries in traditional medicine for the treatment of central nervous system problems and disorders (Wszelaki et al, 2010; Kahkeshani et al, 2013; Friscic et al, 2018a), stomach, liver and digestive problems (Vlase et al, 2014; Mocan et al, 2016; Friscic et al, 2018a), gout treatment The species is rich in biologically active compounds, including coumarin, asperulosiode, monotropein, scandoside, rutin, quercitrin, etc. (Wolf, 1993; Kahkeshani et al, 2013; Vlase et al, 2014)

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