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The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Abstract

Vernonia cinerea L. (VC) has been used for smoking cessation and decreased appetite in Thailand. However, the safety of this plant concerning long-term consumption has never been reported. A 6-month toxicity study of VC water crude extract (VCWE) was performed in both genders of Wistar rats at doses of 15, 150, and 1500 mg/kg body weight/day orally. Recovery group received 1500 mg/kg for 6 months and then extended for 14 days without the extract. It was found that the males could not tolerate the highest dose of VCWE. There was no effect on bodyweight, relative organ weight, nor hematological parameters observed throughout the study. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and cholesterol showed no difference in the remaining males, but significantly lower levels of BUN and creatinine (P < 0.05) were detected in the recovery group of females. Concurrently, VCWE caused liver, kidney, myocardial fiber degeneration, and necrosis in dose-dependence. The damaged tissues showed reversibility and regeneration after the extract withdrawal for 14 days. VCWE could promote spermatogenesis, but not oogenesis. Hence, prolonged consumption of mid to high doses of VCWE in humans should be avoided or immediately discontinued if signs of toxicity arise.

Publisher

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University

First Page

513

Last Page

523

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