Evaluation of the Subacute Toxic Effects of the Alkaloids of the Seeds of Peganum harmala L in the Liver, Kidney and Ovary of Female Rats http://www.doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v6i10.12
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Abstract
Peganum harmala (Harmel) is a medicinal plant used in traditional Algerian medicine to treat several diseases. The subacute total alkaloid toxicity of Peganum harmala seeds on the major organs of female Wistar rats treated with 5.5 mg/kg, i.p. (1/30 LD50) for 30 days was assessed in this study. The treated animals revealed a significant increase in body weight after the first 10 days of treatment followed by a significant drop after the 20th day. The analysis of the blood and serum parameters showed: at p <0.05, a significant elevation in relative liver mass was recorded in parallel with the significant increase in glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (TGP) in liver parameters while hematologic and renal parameters did not change significantly, the exception however was for Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW), and urea. Histological sections of the liver of the treated rats showed some necrosis, a slight dilation of the Centro-lobular vein, mobilization of Kupffer cells, fatty deposits, blood (abnormal accumulation of blood) and hepatocyte ballooning. Some renal histological sections revealed glomerular atrophy. Observation of histological sections of the ovaries showed abnormalities: follicles developed devoid of oocytes, and a very limited number of developed follicles. In conclusion, the alkaloids of Peganum harmala have a toxic effect mainly on the ovaries, kidney and liver of female Wistar rats.
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