Evaluation of the Acute Toxicity of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Solidago chilensis Meyen (Arnica Do Campo) in Mice

Solidago chilensis is a plant with therapeutic properties that is widely used in folk Brazilian medicine. In this study, we evaluated the possible acute toxicity and determined the LD50 of the hydroalcoholic extract of Solidago chilensis. Swiss mice of both sexes received intraperitoneal injections of Solidago chilensis hydroalcoholic extract (ScHE) at the doses of 30, 100, 300, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg. Pharmacological screening, LD50 determination, food intake evaluation, body and target organ weight measurements and histopathological analyses were performed. The LD50 value was determined to be 512.5 mg/kg. Pharmacological screening revealed central nervous system depressant activity, as shown by ptosis and decreases in general activity and motor activity. Food intake and body weight were not affected by extract administration. Macroscopic analysis of organs indicated splenomegaly and changes in the color of the liver in animals treated with ScHE; both effects were dose dependent. Significant macroscopic changes in the kidneys were not observed. Histopathological analysis showed significant morphological alterations in the livers of animals treated with high doses of the extract. Only animals treated with 1000 mg/kg had hemorrhagic foci in the kidneys. Our findings indicate that the intraperitoneal injection of ScHE causes relevant toxicity, with a relatively high LD50 (512.5 mg/kg), and affects the histopathological parameters analyzed. Further toxicological tests should be performed using oral administration to compare the effects of different routes of administration and to simulate traditional use.

Author(s): Lyvia I.G. Paula-Freire, Elena L.A. Malpezzi-Marinho, Graziela R. Molska, Daniele O. Kohn, Luciana Correa and Eduardo A.V. Marinho

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