Toxicological Investigations of Aristolochia longa Root Extracts

Abstract

Aristolochia longa L. (Aristolochiaceae) is an herbaceous plant recognized in alternative medicine for its many therapeutic virtues. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacotoxicological effects of this plant in order to ensure safe clinical use. The oral toxicity of the aqueous extract of A. longa roots was performed in vivo on Wistar rats at doses of 0.8, 1.25, 2, 2.5, and 5 g/kg/day for 21 days. Clinical signs were observed throughout the experimental period, followed by measurement of body weight change, while selected biochemical parameters, as well as relative organ weights and the histology of liver, kidney, and intestinal tissues, were evaluated after 6, 11, and 16 days and then at the end of 21 days of daily administration. At repeated doses for 21 days, the extract contributed to significant weight gain, in both control and treated rats. The global analysis of hepatic and renal biomarkers showed a significant increase between control and different doses of the extract, from the first to the third week of treatment, indicating the likely toxic effect of the extract on liver and kidney function. Organ toxicity was confirmed by histopathological examination, which revealed greater renal and hepatic parenchymal changes in animals treated with a high dose beyond the 16th day. At the end of the treatment, relatively small size of intestinal villi was also observed. It was concluded that ALAE has a low toxicity potential in nonprolonged oral administrations. However, at high chronic oral doses, A. longa appears to have significant toxicity on the organs tested.

Toxicity test of Kedayan root infusion (Aristolochia sp.) using brine shrimp lethality test method

“…(Luciano & Perazella, 2015) also tested the toxicity of aristolochic acid in mice, in which the mice were given aristolochic acid for three months at a dose of 1 and 10 mg/kg once a week, resulting in severe gastric papillomatosis (wart growth) and progressing to cell carcinoma metastatic squamous. In addition, the study (El Omari et al, 2020) also concluded that albino rats tested with aristolochia infusion experienced liver, kidney, and intestinal damage after the test.…”

“…Sampling was carried out in Krayan District, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan. The samples obtained were washed thoroughly, then chopped and dried by aerating in a room for 3 days (El Omari et al, 2020).…”

“…2, September 2022, pp. 140-145 Syuhada et.al (Toxicity test of ...) have efficacy as an anti-inflammatory agent, analgesic, preventing arthritis, treating cancer, and being used as a weight loss agent (El Omari et al, 2020).…”

Determination of Chemical Composition and Investigation of Biological Activities of Ocimum basilicum L.

“…Indeed, rosmarinic acid reduced the expressions of IL-6, TNF-α, and P53 via activation of the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. Moreover, a significant attenuation of ocular inflammation was recorded with the formulation of vanillic acid in spanlastic nanovesicles [ 114 ].…”

“…From these data, it can be concluded that O. basilicum is harmless. However, other investigations are necessary to complete its toxicological profile by evaluating the toxicity of higher doses on the target organs (liver and kidneys) and the intestines since they constitute the site of toxin absorption; and this process as a function of time over different periods, following the example of the experimental protocol adopted in the toxicological study conducted by El Omari et al [ 114 ].…”