Abstract
Buchenavia tomentosa Eichler is a common plant in Brazilian cerrado. Fruits of this plant are employed in human feeding and folk medicine. Cattle producers affirm that consumption of the fruits cause abortion in cows, and even death. Considering that the plant may be consumed by pregnant women and animals, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible toxic effects of the ingestion of B. tomentosa fruit (10% added to the diet), from the first to the twenty-first days of gestation, on reproductive parameters and on physical and neurobehavioral development of rats offspring. An increase in food consumption at pregnancy days 11 and 17, and weight increase at day 17 of pregnancy were observed. Besides that, we verified an increase in weight of male offspring on post natal day 1. Other parameters were not affected by plant consumption. These results indicate that the consumption of B. tomentosa at 10% during pregnancy cause slight toxicological effects. The changes verified in the present study indicate toxic action of the fruit possibly induced by flavonoids with hormonal action; however, further studies must be accomplished to corroborate this hypothesis.
Highlights
Buchenavia tomentosa Eichler (Combretaceae) popularly known as merindiba, embiridiba and tarumarana is a very common plant in the Amazonian savanna (MARQUETE; VALENTE, 2005)
In Brazil, the fruits of this plant are used in human feeding and folk medicine (NETO; CARNIELLO, 2007; POTT; POTT, 1986)
Other members of the Combretaceae family of plants, which include Anogeissus leiocarpus, Pteleopsis suberosa, Thiloa glaucocarpa are toxic to man and animals (ITAKURA et al, 1987; MAIGA et al, 2005)
Summary
Buchenavia tomentosa Eichler (Combretaceae) popularly known as merindiba, embiridiba and tarumarana is a very common plant in the Amazonian savanna (MARQUETE; VALENTE, 2005). Due to the importance of this fruit in human feeding by traditional communities, and possible toxic risks, the present study was undertaken to determine the possible toxic effects of 10% B. tomentosa dried fruit ingestion on female rats and their offspring.
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