HEMATOLOGICAL STUDY AS A CONSEQUENCE OF SUBACUTE EXPOSURE TO THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF SOLIDAGO CHILENSIS (ASTERACEAE)

BUCCIARELLI, A.; BRAS, C.; GUARDIOLA, F.M.; MINETTI, A.; SKLIAR, M.

Córdoba

Simposio; X Simposio Argentino y XIII Simposio Latinoamericano de Farmacobotánica; 2010

Dpto. de Farmacia, Fac. de Ciencias Químicas (UNC) e Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV-CONICET)

Solidago chilensis Meyen (Asteraceae) is widely used in traditional medicine of South America as an anti-inflammatory and diuretic, and to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Despite these uses, no reports are available on the safety of this utilization. In previous studies we observed that the acute exposure to 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 evaluate the effect of the oral subacute exposure to the aqueous extract from inflorescences of Solidago chilensis on hematological parameters. Plant extract was incorporated into the diet and fed daily to CF-1 albino mice over a period of 28 days at a dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight/day. This one was the maximum dose indicated for subacute assays of toxicity by OECD, and we selected it because no severe toxic effects were expected for the exposure to this plant extract. After the exposure, blood samples were obtained in order to determine total erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelet counts, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, leukocyte differential counts and erythrocyte indices. Animals exposed to the extract did not present any difference in the hematological parameters evaluated compared to control (P< 0.05). Considering these results, it was demonstrated that the oral administration of the aqueous extract of S. chilensis does not produce toxicity by subacute exposure in mice. Despite the lack of toxicity indicates that the possible therapeutic use of the extract may be safe, future research like potential chronic toxicity associated with this extract will need to be evaluated through long-term bioassays in order to ensure its safety.