Evaluation of biochemical parameters after subchronic exposure to Solidago chilensis spray-dried aqueous extract

BUCCIARELLI, A.; BRAS, C.; DOMÍNGUEZ, S.; MINETTI, A.; SKLIAR, M.

Rosario

Congreso; 2° Reunión Internacional de Ciencias Farmacéuticas; 2012

Dpto. Farmacia, Fac. de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, UNR - Dpto. de Farmacia, Fac. de Ciencias Químicas, UNC

Introduction: Solidago species have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of several diseases. In South America, the most abundant species is Solidago chilensis Meyen (Asteraceae), widely used in the traditional medicine of several countries as a diuretic, vulnerary, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and to treat wounds and gastrointestinal disorders (1). We have recently reported that different extracts from inflorescences of this species protected gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in mice (2). Despite its extended use, pharmacological and toxicological investigations of S. chilensis are rather scarce. It was also found that no toxic effects were observed after oral acute administration of the aqueous extract of the plant (3). Studies concerning the toxicity of this medicinal plant are needed to verify the efficacy and safety of its use in the treatment of some diseases. For this reason, the aim of the present work was to evaluate for the first time the effect of the spray-dried aqueous extract of the plant on biochemical parameters after 90-day exposure in mice. Materials and Methods: The inflorescences of S. chilensis were extracted using hot water at 90°C during 20 min (1:10 w/v, 2X). The extracts were collected, filtrated and concentrated to a solid content of 10 %. Spray drying process was performed using a laboratory-scale spray dryer. The air atomizing pressure was kept at 6 bars. Atomization air flow rate and aspiration were set at 400 l/h and 100% respectively. The extract was incorporated into the drying chamber at the rate of 5.3 ml/min and inlet temperature was set at 130 ºC. The experimental design was conducted according to the protocols described by OECD (4). A group of healthy CF1 mice (10 males and 10 females) were daily exposed to 1000 mg/kg of body weight of the spray-dried extract mixed with standard food for 90 days. A control group (10 males and 10 females) was fed only with standard diet. At the end of the exposure, blood samples for biochemical analysis were obtained by cardiac puncture as a terminal procedure. Heparin was used as anticoagulant (30 UI/ml of blood). The samples were centrifuged at 1500 ×g for 10 min to obtain plasma. For the hepatic function evaluation, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were determined, while for the renal function, urea and creatinine were evaluated. Glucose and total cholesterol were assessed for carbohydrate and lipid metabolism study, respectively. Biochemical determinations were made using specific kits by measurement of the optical density of the reaction products at the corresponding wavelength with a spectrophotometer. Biochemical data were submitted to a two-way ANOVA followed by post hoc comparisons using t-Student test. Probability values less than 0.05 were considered to be significant. All statistical analysis was made using software SPSS 7.5 for Windows. Results: The results of the biochemical study are described in Table 1. Animals exposed to the spray-dried aqueous extract did not present any difference in the biochemical parameters as compared to control, except in glucose levels, where female treated mice exhibited a very significant increase in glucose levels (p