Comparative toxicological evaluation of two medicinal plants used by folklore practitioners of northeast India for treatment of hypertension

Abstract

The present investigation was aimed to examine the safety parameters in the traditional use of Prunus persica (L) Batsch and Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp as antihypertensive agents in northeast India. The subchronic toxicity of aqueous extracts of the leaves of C. colebrookianum (AECc) and P. persica (AEPp) at an oral dose 150 mg/kg bw/day was evaluated. The behavioral studies were carried out for locomotors activity (LMA) and muscle grip strength (MGS) activity in mice before and after two weeks of treatment. The biochemical estimation was carried out on the 14th day using blood and brain tissue samples of mice. One group of mice was used as control. In behavioral studies, 32.29% LMA and 39.38% MGS were decreased in AEPp-treated animals, whereas in AECc-treated animals 4.97% LMA and 24.57% MGS were increased on the 14th day using actophotometer and rotarod apparatus, respectively. The biochemical serum activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase as well as levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and urea were increased, whereas serum glutathione (GSH) levels were decreased in AECc- and AEPp-treated animals. The activities of the brain enzymes lactate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, GSH, and superoxide dismutase and total protein were significantly affected in the cerebrum and the cerebellum. The organ weight and histopathological observations also support the biochemical observations. The obtained results indicate that the aqueous extract of P. persica significantly exerted adverse effects on organs and brain enzymes, whereas aqueous extract of C. colebrookianum enhanced the antioxidant enzymes upon chronic use.

Keywords:

• traditional medicine
• toxicity
• brain enzyme
• subacute toxicity
• biochemical
• northeast India

Thanks to Dr N.C. Talukdar, Director (i/c) and Scientist – F, IBSD, Takyelpat, Imphal, Manipur, India for providing all possible facilities. Thanks also goes to our colleague Dr Biseswhori Thongam, Scientist (Plant Taxonomy), IBSD, Imphal and the fellow researchers Ms Kh. Nongalleima, Mr Amitabha Dey, Mr N. Dhaneshwor, and Mr N. Surjit Singh for the help in laboratory and computational works.