Uehleke H, Brinkschulte-Freitas M. Oral toxicity of an essential oil from myrtle and adaptive liver stimulation.
Toxicology 1979;
12:335-42. [PMID:
494314 DOI:
10.1016/0300-483x(79)90080-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The acute oral toxicity of an essential oil from the leaves of Myrtus communis (M) in rats was 3.7 ml/kg, and 2.2 ml/kg in mice. After repeated daily doses the toxicity decreased considerably and was calculated to be approx. 6.6 ml/kg after 10 days or 3 weeks pretreatment with M. Daily application of M during 10 days increased the relative liver weight of rats by 10, 18 and 28% at the dose levels of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ml/kg. The hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (microsomal fraction) in the rats increased by 13.5, 24 and 33% after 10 days oral application of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ml/kg of M, respectively. Hepatic cytochrome P-450 started to increase after 0.2 ml/kg, and reached 65% above controls after 10 days application of 2.0 ml/kg. Cytochrome b5 responded in a similar manner. The microsomal N-dealkylation of N-methylaniline increased 2.8-fold after daily administration of 2.0 ml/kg during 10 days. Continuous therapeutic application of M to humans in the magnitude of 1--2 ml daily is considered to be too low to influence the hepatic parameters.
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