Journal of Glycomics & Lipidomics
Open Access

Abstract

Safety Assessment of Esporão de Galo (Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sargent) Crude Extract from Leaves: Acute and Subacute Toxicity Studies in Male Rats

Silva ARH, Froeder ALF, Figueredo KC, Noda JM, Borba de Freitas R, Nunes LT, Pappis L, Boligon AA, Cardoso MS, Moresco R, Veiga ML, Athayde ML, Bauermann LF and Hubscher GH

Celtis iguanaea is popularly known as “Esporão-de-galo” in Portuguese and its leaves are traditionally used in infusion forms as analgesic, antiasthmatic, digestive and diuretic. The aim of this study was to assess the acute and sub-acute toxicity of the crude extract from the Celtis iguanaea leaves in male rats. The toxicity studies were based on the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD-guidelines 423 and 407). In the acute study, a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of C. iguanaea was administered orally. In the sub-acute study, the extract was administered orally to male rats with doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day for 28 days. Behavioral changes and biochemical, hematological, and histological analysis were evaluated. The acute administration of C. iguanaea did not cause changes in behavior or mortality. At the sub-acute toxicity study, we observed an increase of glucose and a decrease of the aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) enzyme. Celtis iguanaea, after acute administration, may be classified as safe (category 5), according to the OECD guide. However, the alterations observed after sub-acute administration with high doses of crude extract from the C. iguanaea leaves suggest that more studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of action.