Toxicological evaluation of the dried hydroethanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus L. roots in Artemia salina larvae and Sprague Dawley rats

Kokou Atchou,Kwashie Eklu-Gadegbeku,Aboudoulatif Diallo,Povi Lawson-Evi

doi:10.1186/s40816-021-00304-1

Abstract

BackgroundAmaranthus spinosus is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases including diabetes and its complications. The aim of this study was to prove the safety of the plant in animal health.MethodsThe dry extract was obtained following the hydroethanolic extraction of A. spinosus roots. The cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro by incubating Artemia salina larvae with the extract for 24 h. In vivo toxicity was assessed in Sprague Dawley rats. A single dose of 5000 mg/kg bw of extract was administered orally to female rats in acute toxicity and observed for 14 days for mortality and signs of toxicity. In subchronic toxicity, extract doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw were administered orally to male and female rats for 28 consecutive days and observed for previous signs. Body weight was recorded daily and blood glucose levels every week. On day 29, blood was collected for biochemical and hematological studies. Organs were then exised for gross autopsy and histopathological examination.ResultsThe in vitro study showed that the extract had a LC50 = 1.178 mg/mL in larvae and was considered to be non-cytotoxic. Oral administration of extract at a single dose of 5000 mg/kg bw did not cause any mortality or sign of toxicity in gross necropsy. In subchronic oral toxicity, repeated doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw of extract, did not also cause any mortality or significant change in body weight, relative weight of vital organs. Furthermore, hematological and biochemical parameters and histopathological examination did not show any significant change. The observed decrease in blood glucose levels did not correlate with organ damage and supports the safety of the plant. However, the reduction of LDL-cholesterol has shown that the extract can prevent cardiovascular disease.ConclusionsThis finding demonstrated that A. spinosus root is non-toxic with a LD50 > 5000 mg/kg bw. Thus, the extract can be used for cutaneous and subchronic oral administration at doses ≤ 1000 mg/kg bw. However, further studies such as embryo/fetotoxicity, genotoxicity and neurotoxicity will be needed to prove the safety of chronic administration of the extract in patients and fetuses.

Highlights

Amaranthus spinosus L., commonly called spiny amaranth is a medicinal plant from Amaranthaceae family and height approximately 0.3 to 0.8 m
Acute oral administration of extract No mortality or clinical sign of toxicity were observed until the end of the 14 days of observation in female rats dosing by the dried hydroethanolic extract of A. spinosus roots at a single dose of 5000 mg/kg bw
This study proved the safety of the dried hydroethanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus root extract in Artemia salina larvae and rats

Summary

Introduction

Amaranthus spinosus L., commonly called spiny amaranth is a medicinal plant from Amaranthaceae family and height approximately 0.3 to 0.8 m. This annual monoecious herb is a nitrophile, generally grows around roads, on cultivated lands and gardens [1]. The plant is used as a diuretic, analgesic, antipyretic, against leprosy, bronchitis and laxative [2]. Despite the widespread use of the plant, there is not enough information on its safety in animal health. Amaranthus spinosus is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases including diabetes and its complications. The aim of this study was to prove the safety of the plant in animal health

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion