Skin-phototoxicity assay in vivo of anthraquinone-fraction from Heterophyllaea pustulata

COMINI L.R., NÚÑEZ MONTOYA, S.C., RUMIE VITAR B., RIVAROLA V.A., CABRERA J.L

Córdoba, Argentina

Congreso; XXXVIII REUNIÓN ANUAL DE LA SOCIEDAD.ARGENTINA DE FARMACOLOGÍA EXPERIMENTAL. SAFE; 2006

Sociedad Argentina de Farmacología Experimental

Heterophyllaea pustulata, popularly known as “cegadera”, is a phototoxicity specie which causes dermatitis and blindness (kerato-conjunctivitis) on the cattle. The animals suffer from the toxic symptoms when they consume different parts of this plant and they are exposed to sunlight. Therefore, this toxicity has been defined as a typical photosensitization by Hansen and Martiarena. We have demonstrated that the majority of the metabolites were anthraquinones (AQs) with photosensitizer activity. The present study were undertaken to evaluate the effects of an anthraquinone-fraction (AQs-frac) on the skin of male mice. The quali-quantitative composition of AQs-frac was determinated by HPLC. The AQs-frac administration in male Balb/c mice (20 g) was directly on the skin by subcutaneous via. The assay was achieved in the dark and under solar radiation in triplicate. The AQs-frac produced photodermatitis and the AQs present in the original fraction were detected into the serum mice by HPLC.