Genetic toxicological assessment and anti-arthritic effects of an ethanolic extract obtained from Salvia lachnostachys Benth leaves in mice

Absence of maternal-fetal adverse effects of Alternanthera littoralis P. Beauv. following treatment during pregnancy in mice

Alternanthera littoralis P. Beauv is a plant native to Brazil that exhibits various beneficial activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anti-hyperalgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the ethanol extract of Alternanthera littoralis (EEAl) on reproductive outcomes, embryofetal development, and DNA integrity of pregnant female mice. Pregnant Swiss female mice were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (n = 10): controls were administered either 1% Tween 80 (vehicle), EEAl 100 mg/kg or EEAl 1000 mg/kg. Treatment was administered through gavage during the gestational period until day 18. On gestational days 16, 17, and 18, a peripheral blood sample from the tail vein was obtained for DNA integrity analysis (micronucleus test). After the last collection, animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation. Maternal organs and fetuses were collected, weighed, and subsequently analyzed. Reproductive outcome parameters were assessed by measurement of number of implants, live fetuses, and resorptions. Embryonic development was determined by adequacy of weight for gestational age as well as determination of external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. Data demonstrated that EEAl did not produce maternal toxicity at either dose associated with no marked alterations in any of the reproductive outcome parameters including implantation sites, live/dead fetuses ratio, fetal viability, post-implantation losses, resorptions, and resorption rate. However, EEAl 1000 group reduced embryofetal development by lowering placental weight. In addition, there was an increase in the frequency of external and skeletal malformations in the EEAl 1000 group, which could not be attributed to extract exposure as these values were within control levels. Based upon our findings, evidence indicates that the EEAl at the concentrations employed in our study may be considered safe for use during pregnancy and extracts of this plant show potential for development of phytomedicines to be used in pregnancy.

The ethanolic extract of Salvia lachnostachys Benth is not maternotoxic, does not alter reproductive performance, but has teratogenic potential

Salvia lachnostachys Benth is native to Brazil and has anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, cytotoxic, antitumor, and antihyperalgesic activities. The population, including pregnant women, consume this plant to treat pain, inflammation, flu, spasms, insomnia, and depression, mainly. There are no safety reports on the use of this plant during pregnancy. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of S. lachnostachys ethanolic extract (EESl) on reproductive performance, embryofetal development, and DNA integrity of pregnant female mice. Pregnant females were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 10): The Control group was treated with a vehicle, and treatment groups were administered with EESl at 100 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. Treatment occurred by gavage throughout the gestational period until day 18. Afterward, reproductive performance, embryofetal development, and DNA integrity parameters were evaluated. The results indicated that EESl did not alter any reproductive performance parameters. However, it changed embryofetal outcome through reduced placental weight (EESl 100 mg/kg), decreased fetal weight (EESl 100 and 1000 mg/kg), and increased frequency of small for gestational age fetuses (EESl 1000 mg/kg). In addition, EES1 increased the frequency of external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. Because of the above, it is considered that EESl is not maternotoxic, does not alter reproductive performance, but does alter embryofetal development. Its use in the gestational period is not indicated due to its teratogenic potential.

Genetic Toxicology and Safety Pharmacological Evaluation of Forsythin

Introduction

Forsythin is the main ingredient of Forsythia suspensa and is widely used in treatment of fever, viral cold, gonorrhea, and ulcers clinically. This study aimed to evaluate the potential genetic toxicity of forsythin and its safety for human use.

Methods

Based on the Good Laboratory Practice regulations and test guidelines, the genetic toxicity of forsythin was assessed by the Ames test, chromosome aberration (CA) test, and bone marrow micronucleus (MN) test in vivo. In the Ames test, five strains of Salmonella typhimurium were exposed to different concentrations of forsythin in the presence or absence of the S9 mixture, and then, the number of His + revertant colonies was counted. In the CA test, Chinese hamster lung (CHL) fibroblast cells were treated with different concentrations of forsythin, mitomycin C, or cyclophosphamide in the presence or absence of the S9 mixture, and the chromosomal aberrations were determined. In the MN test, bone marrow was isolated from the mice with different treatments, and the ratios of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) and erythrocytes (PCE/(PCE + NCE)) were measured. Finally, beagle dogs were divided into four groups (negative control, low dose, medium dose, and high dose groups), and then, a telemetry system was used to evaluate the safe use of forsythin.

Results

Ames test results showed that the number of colonies in all test strains with different treatments showed no significantly dose-dependent increase in the presence or absence of the S9 mixture (p > 0.05). In the CA test, the number of cells with aberrations in the CHL fibroblast cells treated with low, medium, and high doses of forsythin for 24/48 h in the absence of the S9 mixture was, respectively, 5.0/2.5, 4.5/1.5, and 5.0/5.0, and in the presence of the S9 mixture, the number was, respectively, 5.0, 5.0, and 4.5. These results showed that there was no significant difference compared to the negative control group either in the presence (2.0) or in the absence (4.0/2.5 for 24/48 h) of the S9 mixture (p > 0.05). The MN test showed that the values of PCE/(PCE + NCE) in the negative, positive controls, and forsythin treatment groups were all more than 20%, which indicated that forsythin had no cytotoxicity. Additionally, no significant toxicological effects of forsythin on blood pressure, respiration, temperature, electrocardiogram, and other physiological indicators in the conscious beagle dogs of different groups were observed by the telemetry method.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that forsythin has low probability of genetic toxicity and no significant toxicological effects, which implied that forsythin is suitable for further development and potential application.