Hematological study as a consequence of subchronic exposure to the aqueous extract of Solidago chilensis (Asteraceae)

BUCCIARELLI, A.; BRAS, C.; 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 chilensis Meyen (Asteraceae) is widely used in traditional medicine of South America as an anti-inflammatory and diuretic, and to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Solidago chilensis Meyen (Asteraceae) is a native species from South America (1), where is popularly known as vara dorada and is used in popular medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antigonorrheic, diuretic, febrifuge and to treat wounds and gastrointestinal disorders (2). This species was reported for exerting several biological effects, such as antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, hypotensive, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. However, no reports are available on the safety of this utilization. In previous studies we observed that the administration of the aqueous extract of the plant did not produce any sign of toxicity on the nervous system functionality of exposed mice. In order to continue the evaluation of the safe usage of the plant, the aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of the oral subchronic exposure to the aqueous extract from inflorescences of Solidago chilensis on hematological parameters. Materials and methods: Dried plant material was extracted using hot water at 90°C during 20 min (1:10 w/v). The extract was collected, filtrated and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The extract was incorporated into the diet and fed daily to CF-1 albino mice for a period of 90 days at a dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight/day (10 male and 10 females), maximum dose indicated for subchronic toxicological assays because no severe toxic effects were expected (3). A control group (10 males and 10 females) was fed only with standard diet. After the exposure, a volume of 0.4 ml of blood was obtained from each mouse by retro-orbital bleeding under light anaesthesia with ethylendiamine tetraacetate (EDTA) as anticoagulant. These samples were used immediately for the determination of the hematological parameters, employing an automatic analyser. The parameters measured were total erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelet counts, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, leukocyte differential counts and erythrocyte indices. Hematological data were submitted to a two-way ANOVA followed by post hoc comparisons using t-Student test. Hematological data presented as percentages were previously transformed to p´ = arcsin√p (4). 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 hematological study are described in Table 1. Animals exposed to the extract did not present any difference in the hematological parameters evaluated as compared to control (p>0.05). Discussion and Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the oral administration of the aqueous extract of S. chilensis does not produce modifications in hematological parameters by subchronic exposure in mice. Similar results were also found in previous studies after acute and subacute exposure in mice (5). Considering the increasing demand of alternative therapies, such as phytotherapy and aromatherapy, the response to this demand requires a rational exploitation and toxicological studies of natural resources. Although the results suggest that the extract can be used safely for therapeutic purposes, future research such as potential chronic toxicity associated with this extract will need to be evaluated through long-term bioassays.