Toxicological evaluations of betulinic acid and ursolic acid; common constituents of Houttuynia cordata used as an anthelmintic by the Naga tribes in North-east India

Abstract

Background Betulinic acid (BA) and ursolic acid (UA) are two major phytoconstituents of Houttuynia cordata Thunb., (Saururaceae) which is used as an anthelmintic in the traditional medicine system of the Nagas in Nagaland, India. This study evaluates their toxic potentials using rodent models (Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats) according to the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) guidelines. Acute and 28-day sub-acute oral toxicity studies were conducted, and evaluations were made based on biochemical, hematological, and histopathological observations. Results Acute oral toxicity study revealed the oral LD50 of both the test compounds to be > 2000 mg/kg in mice. Sub-acute administration of BA at 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) revealed a significant increase in serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea concentrations and eosinophil and lymphocyte counts in rats. Animals administered with 10 mg/kg b.w. UA revealed elevated neutrophil count, SGOT, ALP, and urea concentrations, whereas white blood cells (WBC), lymphocyte, and platelet counts were found to be low. Histopathological examinations of body organs revealed alterations in the architecture of the liver, kidney, and spleen tissues. Notably, all these alterations were recoverable as evident in the satellite group, indicating a recovering pattern from the toxic effects caused by the oral administration of these phytocompounds. Conclusion Although UA and BA possess several therapeutic properties, their long-term usage can cause mild toxicity in their users. This study also paves way for evaluating the optimum effective and safe dose of these phytocompounds.

Hydrophobization of the Man-Made Cellulosic Fibers by Incorporating Plant-Derived Hydrophobic Compounds

“…BA can be either extracted form plane bark or chemically synthesized (with high yield) from BE using green chemistry approaches . Toxicological study of the betulin and betulinic acid in animals (such as rats and dogs for betulin’s toxicity; mice and rats for betulinic acid’s toxicity) revealed that both compounds are nontoxic. , These pentacyclic triterpenes are known to have a wide range of pharmaceutical activities such as antivirus, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and other properties. , Makarov et al produced BE-cellulose composite fibers using the NMMO-based lyocell process to introduce antifungal properties into the fibers . BE was previously also used to hydrophobize cellulosic textiles, but BA has not been used before for hydrophobic textile production.…”

“…27 Toxicological study of the betulin and betulinic acid in animals (such as rats and dogs for betulin's toxicity; mice and rats for betulinic acid's toxicity) revealed that both compounds are nontoxic. 28,29 These pentacyclic triterpenes are known to have a wide range of pharmaceutical activities such as antivirus, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and other properties. 25,30 Makarov et al produced BE-cellulose composite fibers using the NMMO-based lyocell process to introduce antifungal properties into the fibers.…”

Effects of rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, rosmanol, carnosol, and ursolic acid on the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases

“…Therefore, adults' daily normal dietary contact is estimated at 0.04 + 0.11 mg/kg BW/day of CA + CaA. According to a toxicology study, UA administration at doses lower than 1000 mg/kg/day has no harmful consequences on its users 74 . However, many studies reported abdominal pain, gastrointestinal intolerance, and skin rash as the main adverse effects of rosemary.…”

The therapeutic potential of Houttuynia cordata: A current review

“…Interestingly, 1-decanal (the predominant metabolite) is the compound responsible for the characteristic 'fishy' odour of the plant (Asakawa et al, 2017). Betulinic acid and ursolic acid are pentacyclic triterpenoids which are another major class of phytochemicals that have been isolated from H. cordata, although they have been reported to have mild toxic effects in the users (Mishra et al, 2021). Polysaccharides extracted from H. cordata mainly include galacturonic acid, galactose, glucose, and xylose (Cheng et al, 2019).…”