Neurotoxicity to pigs and rodents from different fractions of Aeschynomene indica seeds.

ABSTRACT

Aeschynomene indica seeds cause a vestibulo-cerebellar syndrome in pigs. This experiment studied the toxicity of different plant chemical fractions in pigs to determine a susceptible laboratory species to search for the plant's toxic principle. Hexanic, ethanolic and acetonic extracts of A. indica seeds were administered to 1 pig each. The ethanolic extract killed the experimental pig and 2/4 mice and 0/4 rats. The ethanolic extract was fractionated into ethyl acetate, butanolic. and aqueous remaining residues. The residues were administered by gavage at 0.9 g/kg to groups of 6 mice; those dosed with the ethyl acetate residue developed nervous signs and died. Administrated to 4 pigs, the residue caused clinical signs and histologic lesions similar than those observed in experimental intoxication of swine with A. indica seeds. The active principle of these seeds was in the ethyl acetate residue and mice can be used as an experimental species to test toxicity of substances isolated from this plant.