CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

It is well known the medicinal use of Opuntia spp. but it has been not scientifically confirmed the lack of toxicity of this cactus to date. Our previous results indicate that Opuntia aff. salagria have hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities in normal and diabetic rats. The aim of the present study is to analyze Opuntia toxicological effects on clinical and hematological parameters. It was performed according to the OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals. Cladodes, seeds and fruit pulp flours were orally administered daily (1000 mg/kg body weight) to male and female Wistar rats during 28 days. The statistical design was a randomized blocks ANOVA. General clinical observations were made daily and the animals were weighed once a week. At the end of the test period, hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated. The animals were euthanized with CO2 and they were subjected to a detailed necropsy. The organs were weighed, measured, and preserved for future histopathological studies. Plant oral administration produced neither mortality nor changes in behavior and physiological activities. Body and organs weights were not significantly affected and no abnormal signs were observed. Hematological analysis (erythrocytes, hemoglobin, platelets, leucocytes, and coagulation time) were similar in control and treated animals. The serum levels of glucose, urea, total proteins, albumin, and hepatic and renal enzymes did not change after Opuntia treatment. Pulp fruit administration induced significant decreases in serum triacylglycerides in male rats. In addition, important falls in total cholesterol, LDL-c and HDL-c were registered in female rats. Results suggest that cladodes, seeds and pulp fruits have no toxicological effects when are administered orally supporting the potential medicinal use of Opuntia aff. salagria.