Toxicological and pharmacological evaluation of Discaria americana Gillies &amp; Hook (Rhamnaceae) in mice

Eliane Regina Da Silva,Rodrigo Cordeiro Bolzan,Sandro Rogério Giacomelli,Denise Diedrich

doi:10.1590/s1984-82502012000200011

Abstract

Medicinal plants (e.g. Discaria americana) have been used by populations for centuries. However, popular use is not enough to validate these plants as safe and effective medicinal products. The present study sought to evaluate the acute and subacute toxicity as well as the anxiolytic and antinociceptive effects of D. americana root bark and aerial parts extracts in mice. In acute toxicity studies, mice were treated with single intraperitoneal doses of the aforementioned extracts. Subacute toxicity studies were performed by oral administration of the extracts over 14 days. Anxiolytic studies consisted of the elevated plus maze method, and antinociceptive studies were based on the hot plate test. The LD50 value for D. americana aerial parts extract was established at >500 mg/kg, and for the root bark extract, 400 mg/kg. D. americana aerial parts extract produced anxiolytic (250 mg/kg) and antinociceptive effects (125, 200 and 250 mg/kg). Conversely, D. americana root bark extract showed neither anxiolytic nor antinociceptive effects in mice.

Highlights

Medicinal plants have been used by populations for centuries
Discaria americana Gillies & Hook is a shrub from the Rhamnaceae family
Liver and lung damage and death have been observed in mice given Karwinskia humboldtiana (Bermudez et al, 1986)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Medicinal plants have been used by populations for centuries. Even many plants play a key role in world health (Calixto, 2000). Discaria americana Gillies & Hook is a shrub from the Rhamnaceae family This plant is known by the common names “Quina-do-Brasil” and “Quina-do-RioGrande” (Brazil) or “Coronillo del campo” and “Quina del campo” (Uruguay) (Correa, 1984). Liver and lung damage and death have been observed in mice given Karwinskia humboldtiana (Bermudez et al, 1986) This plant caused a decrease in ATP levels in the kidney and blood (Jaramillo-Juárez et al, 2005) and central nervous system damage in rats (Becerra-Verdin et al, 2009). The present study sought to evaluate the acute and subacute toxicity of D. americana aerial parts and root bark extracts, as well as the potential anxiolytic and antinociceptive effects of these extracts, in mice

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Evaluation of anxiolytic effect

Evaluation of antinociceptive effect

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION