Toxicological Evaluation of the Aqueous Extract of Caralluma europaea and Its Immunomodulatory and Inflammatory Activities

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Abstract
Pharmacognosy Research,2017,9,4,390-395.
Published:November 2017
Type:Original Article
Authors:
Author(s) affiliations:

Zineb Issiki1, Chaimaa Moundir1, Farida Marnissi2, Nadia Seddik1, Naima Benjelloun1, Younes Zaid3, Mounia Oudghiri1

1Department of Biology, Immunology and Biodiversity Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Hassan II University of Casablanca, B.P 5366 Maarif, MOROCCO.

2Department of Anatomopathology, University Hospital Center Ibn Rochd, 19, rue Tarik Bnou Ziad, Mers Sultan, MOROCCO.

3National Research Laboratory, University Mohammed VI of Health Sciences, Rue Ali Bnou Abi Taleb, Quartier Parc de la Ligue Arabe, Casablanca, MOROCCO.

Abstract:

Background: Caralluma europaea (CE) has been studied for its chemical constituents, and no information is available on its toxicity or its pharmacological activities. Objective: To determine the toxicity of an aqueous extract of CE stems in vitro and in vivo after acute and subchronic oral gavages in Swiss albino's mice and its immunomodulatory and inflammatory activities. Materials and Methods: The extract was administrated in single oral dose at 5 g/kg body weight for the acute toxicity test and by gavages daily at doses of 1, 2.5, or 5 g/kg for 30 consecutive days for the subchronic toxicity test. The immunomodulatory activities and inflammatory activities were tested by the evaluation of hemagglutination antibodies (HAs) titers and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response. Results: For the dose of 1 g/kg, no visible toxic effects were observed. However, for the higher doses, clinical observations of toxicity were noted after 1 week of treatment. This was confirmed by the biochemical parameters values and the histology analyses of the spleen, liver, and kidney tissues. The high cellular mortality rate in vitro when treated with CE extract confirmed their toxicity potential. There was also increase of “HA titer” and “DTH” response in mice treated with nontoxic dose of CE (1 g/kg) compared to control group. This immune activity was confirmed by the high number of lymphocytes infiltrates noted in the different organs. Conclusion: We conclude that CE at the dose up of 1 g/kg produced toxic effect in mice that induced an immune inflammatory reaction.

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Histopathological observations of spleen, liver, and kidney of mice after subchronic treatment with aqueous extract of Caralluma europaea (H and E stain, ×400)

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