Ruta graveolens L. toxicity in Vampirolepis nana infected mice

Abstract

Objective:To determine possible toxic effects of Ruta graveolens hydroalcoholic extract in gastrointestinal parasitic infection.Materials and Methods:A total of 100 g plant leaves and seeds were powdered and extracted with 1500 mL alcohol/water and administered by gavage to Swiss albino mice infected with Vampirolepis nana. Anti-parasitic evaluation and toxicity assays were carried out in six groups of ten animals each. Treatments were scheduled with both the leaves and the seeds’ extracts at doses of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg per gram body weight. Toxicity was comparatively analyzed to a vehicle control group (n = 10) and to a Praziquantel® treated. On the fifth day, all the individuals were killed by euthanasia and parasite scores were correlated, giving rise to a relative percentage of elimination to each treatment. Toxicity was achieved by hematology and by clinical chemistry determinations.Results:The use of the R. graveolens hydroalcoholic extract to treat V. nana infected mice resulted in a mild-to-moderate hepatoxicity associated to a poor anti-parasitic effect. The major proglottids elimination (E%) was achieved at the lowest crude extract concentration with a mild anti-parasitic efficacy from the highest dose; that did not cause a significant elimination of parasites. A decrease of circulating polymorphonuclear-neutrophils associated with a normochromic-normocytic anemia was detected as the extract dose was augmented. The blood aspartate-aminotransferase and alanine-aminotransferase tended be slightly augmented with 100 mg R. graveolens extract.Conclusion:R. graveolens is an unsafe natural anti-parasitic medicine as its active constituents may be poorly extracted by the popular crude herb infusion. Although it presented a mild anti-parasitic effect in mice, symptoms of natural-products-induced-liver-disease confirmed that its self-medication should be avoided.

Teratogenic Effects of Harpagophytum procumbens Ethanolic Extract in Mice and Fetuses

“…Ruta graveolens is a medicinal plant that contains toxic substances. Several authors confirmed the toxicity, teratogenicity and abnormal embryo development of this herb [18][19][20]. A study by Hosseinzadeh et al [21] found that Salvia leriifolia Benth (Nuruzak) can exert significant decrease in weight and length of pregnant mice, as well as some limb abnormalities of fetuses.…”

Chilean crude extract of <i>Ruta graveolens</i> generates vasodilatation in rat aorta at subtoxic cellular concentrations

“…The effect observed over vascular tone indicated a new role of the Ruta extract, however several reports indicated toxic effects of the extract in vivo models [15]. We explored the toxic effects of Ruta extract in the endothelial cellular model.…”

The Efficacy of Mentha longifolia in the Treatment of Patients With Postprandial Distress Syndrome: A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial

“…The dry extract of the herb was prepared using a method described in a previous study (16). The MLE was placed in 500-mg capsules containing 250 mg of the dry extract of the herb and 250 mg of cornstarch as a filler.…”