Chemical composition and phytotoxicity of essential oils of Croton doctoris S. Moore (Euphorbiaceae) / Composição química e fitotoxicidade dos óleos essenciais de Croton doctoris S. Moore (Euphorbiaceae)

Essential oils from the stems and leaves of Croton doctoris were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, resulting in 22 identified compounds. The effects of these essential oils on the germination, root and shoot growth, total chlorophyll content, potential root respiration, peroxidase activity, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and mitotic index in lettuce and onion were determined. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity were also investigated. The results revealed that the stem oil consisted of 15 compounds, of which caryophyllene oxide (24.5%) and E-caryophyllene (13.3%) were the major constituents. The leaf oil contained E-caryophyllene (39.6%) and α-humulene (13.2%) as major compounds. The oils inhibited the germination and growth of lettuce and onion seedlings and reduced chlorophyll content, root respiration, and cell division. They also caused oxidative stress, indicated by the increased activity of the evaluated antioxidant enzymes. These abnormal physiological processes contributed to the inhibition of plant growth. The most pronounced phytotoxic effects were observed in the stem oil. The cytotoxicity tests indicated that leaf oil was more active than stem oil, resulting from the presence of biologically active sesquiterpenes that inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Os óleos essenciais do caule e da folha de Croton doctoris foram analisados por cromatografia gasosa (GC) e espectrometria de massa (GC-MS) resultando em 22 compostos identificados. Os efeitos dos óleos essenciais na germinação, crescimento de raízes e parte aérea, teor total de clorofila, respiração radicular, atividade de peroxidase, catalase e superóxido de dimetase e índice mitótico foram determinados em alface e cebola. Atividade antioxidante, antimicrobiana e citotóxica também foram investigadas. Os resultados revelaram que o óleo do caule é constituído por 15 compostos, dos quais os principais são o óxido de cariofileno (24,5%) e E-cariofileno (13,3%). O óleo foliar apresentou E-cariofileno (39,6%) seguido de α-humuleno (13,2%) como compostos majoritários. Os óleos inibiram a germinação e o crescimento das plântulas de alface e cebola e reduziram o conteúdo de clorofila, a respiração radicular e a divisão celular. Eles também causaram estresse oxidativo, indicado pelo aumento da atividade das enzimas antioxidantes avaliadas. Esses processos fisiológicos anormais contribuem para a inibição do crescimento das plantas. Os efeitos fitotóxicos mais pronunciados foram observados no óleo do caule. Nos testes de citotoxicidade observou-se que o óleo das folhas foi mais ativo, resultante da presença de sesquiterpenos biologicamente ativos que atuam inibindo o crescimento das células cancerígenas.

Toxicidad aguda del extracto hidroalcohólico de Croton wagneri Müll. Arg. (moshquera) y su efecto irritante sobre la mucosa bucal / Acute toxicity of hydroalcoholic extract from Croton wagneri Müll. Arg. (moshquera) and its irritating effect on the oral mucosa

Introducción: Croton wagneri Müll. Arg. es una planta endémica del Ecuador, que dentro de la cosmovisión andina ha sido utilizada por los ancestros como planta medicinal. Objetivo: Evaluar la toxicidad aguda por vía oral del extracto hidroalcohólico de C. wagneri y su efecto irritante sobre la mucosa bucal. Método: Se evaluó la toxicidad aguda por vía oral del extracto hidroalcohólico de C. wagneri en 24 ratas hembras albinas Wistar procedentes de Centro para la Producción de Animales de Laboratorio (CENPALAB) de acuerdo con las normas de la Organización para la Cooperación Económica y el Desarrollo (OECD/OCDE 423). Los animales se dividieron en 4 grupos para recibir los extractos de las hojas, los tallos, las inflorescencias y de la planta completa en dosis de 5, 50, 300 y 2 000 mg/kg por vía oral, respectivamente. Después de 14 días de observación se sacrificaron los animales para su evaluación histopatológica. También se evaluó la acción irritante sobre la mucosa bucal en 30 hámster sirios dorados. A los siete días se sacrificaron los animales para su evaluación. Se utilizó el programa estadístico GraphPad Prism 5 para las evaluaciones biológicas. Resultados: Los extractos de las distintas partes de la planta no manifiestan ningún signo clínico de lesión en los pulmones, los riñones, el corazón, el bazo o el estómago, ni con la administración por vía oral de la dosis máxima probada de 2 000 mg/kg, tampoco irritación de la mucosa. Conclusiones: No se observaron cambios en el comportamiento de las ratas albinas Wistar ni en el de los hámsteres sirios dorados, por lo que se concluye que no hubo cambios en los signos clínicos de los animales en estudio.

Introduction: Croton wagneri Müll. Arg. is a plant species endemic to Ecuador used for medicinal purposes in ancestral Andean tradition. Objective: Evaluate the acute toxicity of orally administered C. wagneri hydroalcoholic extract and its irritating effect on the oral mucosa. Method: Acute toxicity of orally administered C. wagneri hydroalcoholic extract was evaluated in 24 female albino Wistar rats obtained from the Center for Laboratory Animal Breeding (CENPALAB) in compliance with standards issued by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD/OCDE 423). The animals were divided into four groups to receive oral administration of extracts from leaves, stems, inflorescences and the whole plant at doses of 5, 50, 300 and 2 000 mg/kg, respectively. After 14 days' observation, the animals were sacrificed for histopathological examination. Irritating action on the oral mucosa was evaluated in 30 Syrian golden hamsters. Seven days later the animals were sacrificed for evaluation. The statistical software GraphPad Prism 5 was used for biological evaluation. Results: Extracts from the different parts of the plant were not found to cause any clinical sign of injury to the lungs, kidneys, heart, spleen or stomach, not even when administered orally at the maximum test dose of 2 000 mg/kg, nor did they have an irritating effect on the mucosa. Conclusions: Changes were not observed in the behavior of albino Wistar rats or Syrian golden hamsters. It is thus concluded that no changes occurred in the clinical signs of the animals studied.

Efecto de la administración crónica del látex liofilizado de Croton lechleri Muell. Arg. "sangre de drago" en Rattus norvegicus var. Albinus / Effect of chronic administration of latex lyophilised Croton lechleri Muell. Arg. "sangre de drago" in Rattus norvegicus var. Albinus

Objetivo: Determinar si la administración crónica (90 días) del látex liofilizado de Croton lechleri Muell. Arg. "Sangre de drago" modifica los parámetros hematológicos y bioquimicos en Rattus norvegicus var albinus. Materiales y métodos: Se utilizó ratas con un peso corporal (p.c.) entre 150 g a 170 g, distribuidos en Grupo A (control) y Grupos B y C (experimentales), de 20 especímenes cada uno (10 hembras y 10 machos) a las que se administró por vía oral NaCl 0.9% y una dosis diaria de 100 y 200 mg de látex liofilizado/Kg p.c. respectivamente, durante 90 días. Se tomaron muestras de sangre cada 15 días para determinar parámetros hematológicos (hematocrito, linfocitos, leucocitos y segmentados) y bioquímicos (glucosa, urea, creatinina, colesterol total y perfil hepático). Resultados: Todos los valores se encontraron dentro del rango normal. Se encontraron diferencias significativas al comparar los grupos de estudio en los resultados de glucosa (Control vs Grupo I: p<0.001 y Grupo II: p=0.003) y creatinina (Grupo II vs Grupo I: p=0.008 y control: p<0.001). Los valores de bilirrubina total y proteínas totales variaron significativamente durante el tiempo de estudio (p=0.001 y p<0.001, respectivamente). El resto de parámetros no presentaron variaciones significativas por grupos (p>0.05). Conclusión: El látex liofilizado de Croton lechleri Muell. Arg. no generó toxicidad en los parámetros hematológicos y bioquímicos estudiados en Rattus norvegicus var Albinus.

Croton megalobotrys Müll Arg. and Vitex doniana (Sweet): Traditional medicinal plants in a three-step treatment regimen that inhibit in vitro replication of HIV-1.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) strains resistant to licensed anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) continue to emerge. On the African continent, uneven access to ARVs combined with occurrence of side-effects after prolonged ARV therapy have led to searches for traditional medicines as alternative or complementary remedies to conventional HIV/AIDS management. AIM OF THE STUDY: Here we characterize a specific three-step traditional HIV/AIDS treatment regimen consisting of Cassia sieberiana root, Vitex doniana root, and Croton megalobotrys bark by combining qualitative interviews of traditional medical knowledge users in Botswana with in vitro HIV replication studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Crude extracts from a total of seven medicinal plants were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity and inhibition of wild-type (NL4.3) and ARV-resistant HIV-1 replication in an immortalized GFP-reporter CD4+ T-cell line. RESULTS: C. sieberiana root, V. doniana root, and C. megalobotrys bark extracts inhibited HIV-1NL4.3 replication with dose-dependence and without concomitant cytotoxicity. C. sieberiana and V. doniana extracts inhibited HIV-1 replication by 50% at 84.8µg/mL and at 25µg/mL, respectively, while C. megalobotrys extracts inhibited HIV-1 replication by a maximum of 45% at concentrations as low as 0.05µg/mL. Extracts did not interfere with antiviral activities of licensed ARVs when applied in combination and exhibited comparable efficacies against viruses harboring major resistance mutations to licensed protease, reverse-transcriptase, or integrase inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: We report for the first time a three-step traditional HIV/AIDS regimen, used alone or in combination with standard ARV regimens, where each step exhibited more potent ability to inhibit HIV replication in vitro. Our observations support the "reverse pharmacology" model where documented clinical experiences are used to identify natural products of therapeutic value.

Efeito leishmanicida in vitro do látex de Croton lechleri (Euphorbiaceae) / In vitro leishmanicidal effect of Croton lechleri latex

A Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana é uma infecção causada por uma variedade de espécies de Leishmania, é transmitida ao homem por flebotomíneos. Os antimoniais pentavalentes são utilizados na quimioterapia dessa doença; no entanto, esses fármacos provocam uma série de efeitos colaterais, além de apresentar altos índices de toxicidade. Na busca por novos agentes leishmanicidas, avaliamos in vitro o extrato do látex de Croton lechleri (Sangue de dragão) frente a formas promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis e Leishmania guyanensis. O extrato foi obtido através da desidratação do látex de C. lechleri e diluído em solução 10% de etanol em salina tamponada com fosfato. As promastigotas de Leishmania foram cultivadas juntamente com o extrato nas concentrações de 6,25; 12,5 e 25µg/ mL por 72 horas. O extrato apresentou eficácia em todas as concentrações testadas apresentando um IC50 (concentração inibitória) de 5,04µg/mL para L. amazonensis e IC50 de 9,05µg/mL para L. guyanensis. Foi realizada a avaliação citotóxica em células J774 nas mesmas concentrações usadas no ensaio leishmanicida, porém a concentração de 25µg/mL apresentou índice de toxicidade de aproximadamente 50% para a célula hospedeira. Os testes realizados mostraram-se promissores, pois o extrato testado também foi capaz de inibir o crescimento de promastigotas de L. amazonensis após ensaio de infecção com células J774.

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is an infection caused by a several species of Leishmania, is transmitted to humans by phlebotomine sandflies. Pentavalent antimonial compounds are used in the chemotherapy of this disease; however, these drugs cause several collateral effects, besides presenting high levels of toxicity. The search for new antiLeishmanial agents, we assessed in vitro the extract of Croton lechleri latex (Blood Dragon) against the promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania guyanensis. The extract was obtained by dehydration C. lechleri latex mass and the solution was diluted with 10% ethanol in phosphate buffered saline solution. The Leishmania promastigotes were grown with the extract following concentrations 6.25; 12.5 and 25µg/mL for 72 hours. The extract showed efficacy in all concentrations tested showing an IC50 (inhibitory concentration) of 5.04 µg/mL for L. amazonensis and IC50 of 9.05 µg/mL for L. guyanensis. Cytotoxic evaluation was performed in J774 cells at the same concentrations used in the leishmanicidal assay, but the concentration of 25µg/mL showed toxicity index of approximately 50% for the host cell. Tests carried out proved promising, since the extracts tested was also able to inhibit the L. amazonensis promastigotes growth after infection assay with J774 cells.

Acute toxicity effect of Croton penduliflorus (Euphorbiaceae) Seed Oil.

BACKGROUND: Croton penduliforus (Euphorbiaceae) is a tropical evergreen plant widely distributed in Africa. Its seeds are used in folklore medicine as laxative, as well as a major component of herbal contraceptive and antifibroid decoction. OBJECTIVE: This study is to investigate the oral acute toxicity and histological effects of Croton penduliflorus seed oil in mice. METHODS: Croton penduliflorus seed oil (CPSO) was prepared by Soxhlet extraction of shelled, oven dried, ground seed sample with 40-60 degrees C petroleum ether. Albino mice of both sexes aged 6-7 weeks old were randomly divided into seven groups of five. Graded doses of 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 mg/kg body weight of the extract were administered orally to groups 2-7 respectively. The control group was administered with 0.1 ml of Tween 20. The numbers of deaths over a period of 24 hours were recorded. Acute toxicity (lethal dose) was estimated from the graph of % cumulative death against log dose of the extract. The animals that survived after 24 hours were monitored daily for 14 days for appearance of delayed toxicity signs. At the end of 14 days all the animals were sacrificed and blood sample were collected from each animal into a plain sterilized bottle. Internal organs namely kidney, liver, heart and lungs were isolated and fixed in 10 % formal saline for histopathological examination. RESULTS: The LD50 was estimated to be 570 mg/kg body weight. CPSO caused weight loss at doses greater than 600 mg/kg with significant increases in AST and ALP activities and fluctuation of serum electrolytes. CONCLUSION: Croton penduliflorus seed oil is toxic to the kidney and liver of mice.

Acute and chronic oral toxicity of a partially purified plaunotol extract from Croton stellatopilosus Ohba.

Plaunotol, an acyclic diterpenoid with highly effective antigastric ulcer properties, has been commercially isolated from leaves of Croton stellatopilosus Ohba. This Thai medicinal plant was traditionally used in the form of crude extracts, suggesting that it is possible to administer these plaunotol-containing extracts without toxicity. To confirm its safety, the oral toxicity of a partially purified plaunotol extract (PPE) was evaluated in vivo. The PPE was simply prepared by 95% ethanol reflux extraction followed by hexane partition. The obtained extract was analyzed and found to contain 43% w/w of plaunotol and another compound, likely a fatty acid-plaunotol conjugate that is considered a major impurity. Oral administration of PPE to ICR mice and Wistar rats was conducted to evaluate acute and chronic toxicity of the plaunotol extract, respectively. The acute toxicity study demonstrated that PPE was practically nontoxic based on its high median lethal dose value (LD50 = 10.25 g/kg). The chronic toxicity studies also showed the absence of mortality and clinical symptoms in all rats treated with 11-1,100 mg/kg/day of PPE during a 6-month period. Histopathological and hematological analyses revealed that altered liver and kidney function and increased blood platelet number, but only at the high doses (550-1,100 mg/kg/day). These results suggest that PPE is potentially safe for further development as a therapeutic agent in humans.

Antitumor effect of Croton lechleri Mull. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae).

UNLABELLED: ETHNOPHARMAGOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Medicinal plants are an important source of antitumor compounds. This study evaluated the acute toxicity in mice, as well as the cytotoxic and antitumoral effects of methanolic extracts of Croton lechleri leaves (CLE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytotoxicity of CLE on human cancer cell lines and human non-cancerous cells was evaluated using the MTT and apoptosis assays. Apoptosis induced by CLE on human cancer cell lines was determined using flow cytometry with annexin-Alexa 488/propidium iodide. The acute toxicity in mice was performed according to the Lorke procedure. Different doses of CLE were injected intraperitoneally daily into athymic mice bearing tumor during 18 days. The growth and weight of tumors was measured. RESULTS: CLE showed low IC(50) values on HeLa (17µg/ml) cells but lack toxic effects against human normal cells. Induction of cell death in HeLa cells by CLE was confirmed by an increase of apoptosis (Annexin/PI) by 30% compared to untreated cells. The LD(50) was 356mg/kg by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) and 500mg/kg by oral route. CLE administrated at 1, 10 and 50mg/kg i.p. inhibited the tumor growth by 38%, 48% and 59%, respectively, in mice bearing HeLa tumor. CONCLUSION: Croton lechleri shows moderate toxic effects in vivo, exerts cytotoxic effects on HeLa cells and has antitumor effects in mice bearing HeLa tumor.

Hepatics alterations and genotoxic effects of Croton cajucara Benth (SACACA) in diabetic rats.

CONTEXT: Croton cajucara Benth is a plant found in Amazonia, Brazil and the bark and leaf infusions of this plant have been popularly used to treat diabetes and hepatic disorders. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated effects hepatics alterations and genotoxic and antidiabetic effect of Croton cajucara Benth bark extracts treatment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control rats; control rats treated with Croton cajucara Benth extract during 5 and 20 days; diabetic rats, and diabetic rats treated with Croton cajucara Benth during 5 and 20 days. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (70 mg/kg). Eight weeks later we measured glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and hepatic transaminases on blood. The bone marrow micronucleus assay was used to assess the genotoxic activity of Croton cajucara Benth. RESULTS: Treatment with aqueous extrat of Croton cajucara was able to significantly reduce levels of triglycerides in diabetic animals, however, did not modify significantly the levels of glucose and cholesterol in these animals. There was no significant elevation in liver transaminases in the control group treated with Croton cajucara Benth, as there was no genotoxic effect of treatment in this model. Our results did not show a significant effect on glucose and cholesterol reduction, the treatment was able to significantly reduce triclycerides plasmatic level. There was no significant alterations on hepatic transferase in the animals from the control group treated with Croton cajucara Benth. It was observed no genotoxic effect of the treatment in the model studied. CONCLUSION: In this study Croton cajucara bark extract showed absence of hepatotoxicity in this animal model and presented a hypolipidemic activity, and could be used to reverse dyslipidemia associated with diabetes and to prevent the cardiovascular complications that are very prevalent in diabetic patients.

Hepatics alterations and genotoxic effects of Croton cajucara Benth (SACACA) in diabetic rats / Alterações hepáticas e efeitos genotóxicos do Croton cajucara Benth (SACACA) em ratos diabéticos

CONTEXT: Croton cajucara Benth is a plant found in Amazonia, Brazil and the bark and leaf infusions of this plant have been popularly used to treat diabetes and hepatic disorders. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated effects hepatics alterations and genotoxic and antidiabetic effect of Croton cajucara Benth bark extracts treatment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control rats; control rats treated with Croton cajucara Benth extract during 5 and 20 days; diabetic rats, and diabetic rats treated with Croton cajucara Benth during 5 and 20 days. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (70 mg/kg). Eight weeks later we measured glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and hepatic transaminases on blood. The bone marrow micronucleus assay was used to assess the genotoxic activity of Croton cajucara Benth. RESULTS: Treatment with aqueous extrat of Croton cajucara was able to significantly reduce levels of triglycerides in diabetic animals, however, did not modify significantly the levels of glucose and cholesterol in these animals. There was no significant elevation in liver transaminases in the control group treated with Croton cajucara Benth, as there was no genotoxic effect of treatment in this model. Our results did not show a significant effect on glucose and cholesterol reduction, the treatment was able to significantly reduce triclycerides plasmatic level. There was no significant alterations on hepatic transferase in the animals from the control group treated with Croton cajucara Benth. It was observed no genotoxic effect of the treatment in the model studied. CONCLUSION: In this study Croton cajucara bark extract showed absence of hepatotoxicity in this animal model and presented a hypolipidemic activity, and could be used to reverse dyslipidemia associated with diabetes and to prevent the cardiovascular complications that are very prevalent in diabetic patients.

CONTEXTO: Croton cajucara Benth é uma planta encontrada na Amazônia, Brasil. Infusões da casca e folhas desta planta são utilizadas popularmente no tratamento de diabetes e doenças hepáticas. OBJETIVOS: Este estudo investigou as alterações hepáticas e os efeitos genotóxicos da casca do extrato do Croton cajucara Benth em animais diabéticos induzidos por estreptozotocina. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar machos foram divididos em seis grupos: ratos controle, ratos controle tratados com extrato de Croton cajucara Benth durante 5 e 20 dias, ratos diabéticos e diabéticos tratados com Croton cajucara Benth durante 5 e 20 dias. O diabetes foi induzido por uma única injeção intraperitonial de estreptozotocina (70 mg/kg). Oito semanas mais tarde foram medidos os níveis de glicose, triglicerídios, colesterol e transaminases hepáticas no sangue. O teste do micronúcleo da medula óssea foi utilizado para avaliar a atividade genotóxica do Croton cajucara Benth. RESULTADOS: O tratamento com o extrato aquoso do Croton cajucara foi capaz de reduzir significativamente os níveis plasmásticos dos triglicerídios nos animais diabéticos, porém, não modificaram significativamente os níveis de glicose e colesterol nesses animais. Não houve elevação significativa nas transaminases hepáticas nos animais do grupo controle tratadas com Croton cajucara Benth, assim como também não houve efeito genotóxico do tratamento, no modelo estudado. CONCLUSÃO: O extrato aquoso da casca do Croton cajucara Benth foi hipolipemiante, sugerindo seu uso para prevenir as dislipidemias encontradas em pacientes diabéticos.

Histologic evaluation of rats' liver after Croton cajucara Benth (sacaca) administration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the hepatic effect of Croton cajucara Benth (sacaca) herbal extract in rats. METHODS: 60 Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus albinus) were used, weighing between 250 and 350 g. The animals were distributed randomically in 2 groups: GS - animals which received daily 0,1 ml/ 100 g of sacaca herbal extract through gavage, and GA -animals which received daily 0,1 ml/100g of distilled water through gavage. These were distributed in 3 subgroups with 10 animals, according to theirs euthanasia dates, which were 14th, 28th and 56th day of treatment. RESULTS: Architectural alterations were not observed, however when it was analyzed the presence or absence of necrosis, it was observed in 50% of GS28 subgroup and 90% of subgroup. In 50% of the animals from GS28 subgroup and 90% of GS56 subgroup was observed vast degeneration areas and zonal necrosis, regarding center-lobular veins alterations, there were no alterations in any of the groups CONCLUSION: The Croton cajucara Benth (sacaca) herbal extract in this experiment caused degeneration and hepatic necrosis, suggesting dose-dependent action.

Histologic evaluation of rats' liver after Croton cajucara Benth (sacaca) administration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the hepatic effect of Croton cajucara Benth (sacaca) herbal extract in rats. METHODS: 60 Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus albinus) were used, weighing between 250 and 350 g. The animals were distributed randomically in 2 groups: GS - animals which received daily 0,1 ml/ 100 g of sacaca herbal extract through gavage, and GA -animals which received daily 0,1 ml/100g of distilled water through gavage. These were distributed in 3 subgroups with 10 animals, according to theirs euthanasia dates, which were 14th, 28th and 56th day of treatment. RESULTS: Architectural alterations were not observed, however when it was analyzed the presence or absence of necrosis, it was observed in 50 percent of GS28 subgroup and 90 percent of subgroup. In 50 percent of the animals from GS28 subgroup and 90 percent of GS56 subgroup was observed vast degeneration areas and zonal necrosis, regarding center-lobular veins alterations, there were no alterations in any of the groups CONCLUSION: The Croton cajucara Benth (sacaca) herbal extract in this experiment caused degeneration and hepatic necrosis, suggesting dose-dependent action.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar histologicamente os efeitos do infuso, por gavagem, do Extrato Bruto Aquoso Seco (EBAS) do Croton cajucara Benth no fígado de ratos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 60 ratos (Rattus novergicus albinus Wistar), pesando entre 250 e 350g. Os animais foram distribuídos de maneira aleatória em 2 grupos: GS - Grupo de animais que receberam 0,1ml/100g do infuso de sacaca, pela via oral e GA - Grupo de animais que recebeu 0,1ml/100g de água destilada, pela via oral. Estes foram distribuídos em 3 subgrupos de acordo com o dia da eutanásia, sendo esta realizada no 14º, 28º e 56º dia, cada um com 10 animais. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que, microscopicamente, não houve alterações arquiteturais, porém quando se analisou a necrose hepatocitária, esta esteve presente em 50 por cento do subgrupo GS28 e 90 por cento do subgrupo GS56; as alterações inflamatórias puderam ser observadas tanto no subgrupo GS28 como no subgrupo GS56, sendo que neste último se fez presente em 80 por cento, enquanto que no primeiro em apenas 20 por cento dos animais submetidos ao experimento; 50 por cento dos animais do subgrupo GS28 e 90 por cento dos do subgrupo GS56 apresentaram extensa área de degeneração e necrose focal do hepatócito; em 100 por cento dos animais tanto do GA como do GS não apresentaram qualquer alteração da veia centro-lobular. CONCLUSÃO: O infuso de Croton cajucara Benth (sacaca), nas condições deste experimento, foi capaz de determinar degeneração e necrose hepatocitária, sugerindo que a hepatotoxicidade à sacaca é dose dependente.

Would Sacaca, Croton cajucara Benth (Euphorbiaceae) be an hepatotoxic plant like Germander, Teucrium chamaedrys L. (Labiatae)?

Clinical and experimental studies have consistently incriminated the medicinal plant germander (Teucrium chamaedrys L.) in epidemic and sporadic cases of liver diseases. The sacaca (Croton cajucara Benth), a common plant in Brazilian Amazon region also comes being incriminated in similar clinical cases. Of both plants were isolated diterpenoid compounds with similar chemical structures.

Would Sacaca, Croton cajucara Benth (Euphorbiaceae) be an hepatotoxic plant like Germander, Teucrium chamaedrys L. (Labiatae)? / Será a Sacaca, Croton cajucara Benth (Euphorbiaceae) uma planta hepatotóxica semelhante à Germander, Teucrium chamaedrys L. (Labiatae)?

Clinical and experimental studies have consistently incriminated the medicinal plant germander (Teucrium chamaedrys L.) in epidemic and sporadic cases of liver diseases. The sacaca (Croton cajucara Benth), a common plant in Brazilian Amazon region also comes being incriminated in similar clinical cases. Of both plants were isolated diterpenoid coumpounds with similar chemical structures.

Estudos clínicos e experimentais tem incriminado, de forma consistente, na França, a planta medicinal germander (Teucrium chamaedrys L.) em casos esporádicos ou epidêmicos de hepatopatias. A Sacaca (Croton cajucara Benth), uma planta comum na Amazônia brasileira, também vem sendo incriminada em casos clínicos semelhantes. De ambas as plantas, foram isolados diterpenóides com estruturas químicas semelhantes.