ABSTRACT
Introduction: The leaves of Senna alata from the Fabaceae family have been used in folk medicine for the cure of skin disease. In this study, we tested the extract and fractions on brine shrimp lethality test and antiproliferative activity on cancer and normal cell lines. Objective: In this study, we assessed the cytotoxicity of S. alata using brine shrimp test and two cell lines. Methods: The 80 % ethanolic leaf extract and its fractions were examined for possible cytotoxic effect using sulforhodamine B (SRB) cytotoxicity assay towards breast cancer (MCF-7), normal (MCF10A) cell lines, and brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT). Results: The brine shrimp lethality bioassay exhibits no cytotoxicity even at high concentration (5 000 µg/mL). The LC50 for dichloromethane, chloroform, butanol, and aqueous were > 1 000 µg/mL (non-toxic). The IC50 for in vitro SRB cytotoxicity against MCF-7 for n-hexane was 0.013 µg/mL, which was considered highly toxic, while dichloromethane and chloroform recorded at 47.11 and 57.61 µg/mL, respectively after 72 hours exposure time although there was no cytotoxicity found on the normal cell line. Conclusion: This study shows that S. alata crude ethanolic leaf extract and its fractions potentially contain significant bioactive compounds that are safe from adverse effects, which proves the therapeutic application of S. alata in traditional remedy.
Introducción: Las hojas de Senna alata de la familia Fabaceae se han utilizado en la medicina popular para la cura de enfermedades de la piel. En este estudio, probamos el extracto de la planta en líneas celulares normales y cancerosas. Objetivo: Evaluamos la citotoxicidad de S. alata usando una prueba del camarón Artemia y la actividad antiproliferativa. Métodos: El extracto de hoja etanólico al 80 % y sus fracciones se examinaron en busca de un posible efecto citotóxico utilizando un ensayo de citotoxicidad de sulforrodamina B (SRB) frente a líneas celulares de cáncer de mama (MCF-7), normales (MCF10A) y prueba de letalidad del camarón Artemia (BSLT). Resultados: El bioensayo de letalidad del camarón Artemia no presenta citotoxicidad incluso en alta concentración (5 000 µg/mL). La CL50 para diclorometano, cloroformo, butanol y acuoso fue > 1000 µg/mL (no tóxico). La CI50 para la citotoxicidad in vitro de SRB contra MCF-7 para n-hexano fue de 0.013 µg/mL, que se consideró altamente tóxica, mientras que el diclorometano y el cloroformo registraron 47.11 y 57.61 µg/mL, respectivamente, después de 72 horas de tiempo de exposición, aunque no hubo citotoxicidad encontrada en la línea celular normal. Conclusión: Este estudio muestra que el extracto de hoja etanólico crudo de S. alata y sus fracciones contienen potencialmente compuestos bioactivos significativos que están a salvo de efectos adversos, lo que demuestra la aplicación terapéutica de S. alata como remedio tradicional.
Subject(s)
Animals , Senna Plant/toxicity , Medicine, Traditional , NeoplasmsABSTRACT
In a paddock highly invaded by Senna obtusifolia 10 out of 60 sheep showed muscle weakness and 9 died after a clinical manifestation period of 24-76 hours. Serum activities of creatine kinase were increased in all sheep examined. Multifocal polyphasic muscle segmental degeneration and necrosis was observed in skeletal muscles. Although the plant is a common weed in northeastern Brazil, the poisoning is rare, probably because the animals do not ingest it or due to toxicity variations.(AU)
Em um piquete altamente invadido por Senna obtusifolia, 10 de 60 ovelhas mostraram fraqueza muscular e 9 morreram após um período de manifestação clínica de 24-76 horas. As atividades séricas da creatina quinase foram aumentadas em todos os ovinos examinados. Foi observada degeneração segmentar e necrose polifásica muscular em músculos esqueléticos. Embora a planta seja uma erva daninha comum no Nordeste do Brasil, o envenenamento é raro, provavelmente porque os animais não o ingerem ou devido a variações de toxicidade.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Sheep/microbiology , Senna Plant/toxicity , NecrosisABSTRACT
In a paddock highly invaded by Senna obtusifolia 10 out of 60 sheep showed muscle weakness and 9 died after a clinical manifestation period of 24-76 hours. Serum activities of creatine kinase were increased in all sheep examined. Multifocal polyphasic muscle segmental degeneration and necrosis was observed in skeletal muscles. Although the plant is a common weed in northeastern Brazil, the poisoning is rare, probably because the animals do not ingest it or due to toxicity variations.(AU)
Em um piquete altamente invadido por Senna obtusifolia, 10 de 60 ovelhas mostraram fraqueza muscular e 9 morreram após um período de manifestação clínica de 24-76 horas. As atividades séricas da creatina quinase foram aumentadas em todos os ovinos examinados. Foi observada degeneração segmentar e necrose polifásica muscular em músculos esqueléticos. Embora a planta seja uma erva daninha comum no Nordeste do Brasil, o envenenamento é raro, provavelmente porque os animais não o ingerem ou devido a variações de toxicidade.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Sheep/microbiology , Senna Plant/toxicity , NecrosisABSTRACT
Senna occidentalis is a toxic leguminous plant found in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world and causes poisoning mainly in confined animals. The seeds are the most toxic part of the plant and may be present in animal rations. The main toxic component of the S. occidentalis seed is a dianthrone, an anthraquinone-derived compound that affects mitochondrial function. This study evaluated the effects on egg production of low-level contamination of the S. occidentalis in the laying hens' diet. Forty-eight one-day-old pullets were randomly allocated into two treatment groups: control, birds that received no experimental treatment; and external and internal tegument (ET/IT), birds that received a diet containing 0.2% of ET/IT of S. occidentalis seeds throughout their life cycle (42 weeks). The birds were monitored for clinical signs of poisoning, and the production and quality of eggs were recorded. Necropsies were conducted at the end of the experimental period. None of the layers showed any clinical signs of poisoning, decreases in feed intake or alterations of the body weight gain. A marked reduction in egg production and, consequently, a lower feed efficiency in ET/IT group were measured. Ovaries were the most affected organ in birds from the ET/IT group, and yolk leaking and dysplasia of the inner layer of the vitelline membrane were observed. S. occidentalis was shown to be toxic for laying hens. Considering these results, it is feasible to assume that the constant presence of low concentrations of S. occidentalis seeds in rations represents a threat to the poultry industry.
Subject(s)
Chickens/physiology , Seeds/toxicity , Senna Plant/toxicity , Animals , Diet/veterinary , Eggs , Female , Random AllocationABSTRACT
Senna occidentalis (S. occidentalis) is a toxic leguminous plant that contaminates crops and has been shown to be toxic to several animal species. All parts of the plant are toxic, but most of the plant's toxicity is due to its seeds. Despite its toxicity, S. occidentalis is widely used for therapeutic purposes in humans. The aim of the present work was to investigate, for the first time, the effects of the chronic administration of S. occidentalis seeds on hematopoietic organs, including the bone marrow and spleen. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of 10 animals. Rats were treated with diets containing 0% (control), 0.5% (So0.5), 1% (So1), or 2% (So2) S. occidentalis seeds for a period of 90 days. Food and water were provided ad libitum, except to pair-fed (PF) group which received the same amount of ration to those of So2 group, however free of S. occidentalis seeds. It was verified that rats treated with 2% S. occidentalis seeds presented changes in hematological parameters. The blood evaluation also showed a significant decrease of the Myeloid/Erythroid (M/E) ratio. Chronic treatment with S. occidentalis promoted a reduction in the cellularity of both the bone marrow and spleen. Additionally, we observed changes in bone marrow smears, iron stores and spleen hemosiderin accumulation. Histological analyses of bone marrow revealed erythroid hyperplasia which was consistent with the increased reticulocyte count. These findings suggest that the long-term administration of S. occidentalis seeds can promote blood toxicity.
Subject(s)
Bone Marrow/drug effects , Senna Plant/toxicity , Spleen/drug effects , Toxins, Biological/toxicity , Animals , Bone Marrow/pathology , Male , Rats, Wistar , Seeds/chemistry , Seeds/toxicity , Senna Plant/chemistry , Spleen/pathology , Toxicity Tests, ChronicABSTRACT
Background: Senna occidentalis, commonly known as coffee senna or coffee weed, is the species of the genus Senna with the most reports of poisoning in bovines. The animals are poisoned by ingesting the plant or its parts, being the seeds the most toxic part, and the poisoning may occur in bursts or isolated, causing myopathy and causing significant mortality in bovines, especially in the southern regions of Brazil. The main clinical signs consist of muscle weakness and tremor, difficulty in walking, incoordination, permanent sternal decubitus, myoglobinuria and death, and the lesions found are mainly located in skeletal muscle. Due to the small number of cases of spontaneous poisoning reported, and the severity of such, the objective was to report epidemiological, clinical, and pathological aspects, observed in an isolated case of spontaneous poisoning by S. occidentalis in a Holstein heifer in the State of Paraná, southern Brazil.Case: A 20-month-old Holstein heifer presented clinical signs suggestive for muscular degeneration, such as permanent sternal decubitus, muscle tremors and dark colored urine. The presence of the plant in the farm where the animal was, together with the macroscopic and microscopic changes posteriorly observed, accounted for the diagnosis. The treatment used was not effective and the animal died three days after the first clinical manifestations...
Cerca de 200 espécies de plantas do gênero Senna estão presentes no continente americano [9]. A maioria das intoxicações, em bovinos, são decorrentes da ingestão de S. occidentalis [3], também relatadas em suínos domésticos [11], javalis [17] e equinos [1]. A intoxicação ocorre pela ingestão da planta ou partes dela, sendo as sementes aparte mais tóxica [19]. As principais consequências são miopatia e cardiomiopatia degenerativas [16] acarretando significativa mortalidade em bovinos, principalmente na região sul do Brasil [2]. A ingestão pode ocorrer espontaneamente, através de pastejo, ou acidentalmente, pela contaminação de concentrado com partes da planta [16], intoxicando animais isoladamente ou em forma de surtos, forma mais comum, podendo acometer até 60% do rebanho [2]. Os principais sinais clínicos consistem em fraqueza e tremor muscular, dificuldade de locomoção, incoordenação, decúbito esternal permanente, mioglobinúria e morte, e as lesões encontradas são localizadas, principalmente, na musculatura esquelética onde, macroscopicamente, observa-se áreas pálidas e áreas normais intercaladas e, microscopicamente, miopatia tóxica degenerativa [1,19].Devido ao baixo número de relatos de intoxicação espontânea e à gravidade desta patologia, objetivou-se relatar os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos observados em um caso isolado de intoxicação espontânea...
Subject(s)
Animals , Cattle , Air , Muscle Weakness/veterinary , Myoglobinuria/veterinary , Plants, Toxic , Senna Plant/toxicity , Muscular Diseases/veterinaryABSTRACT
Background: Senna occidentalis, commonly known as coffee senna or coffee weed, is the species of the genus Senna with the most reports of poisoning in bovines. The animals are poisoned by ingesting the plant or its parts, being the seeds the most toxic part, and the poisoning may occur in bursts or isolated, causing myopathy and causing significant mortality in bovines, especially in the southern regions of Brazil. The main clinical signs consist of muscle weakness and tremor, difficulty in walking, incoordination, permanent sternal decubitus, myoglobinuria and death, and the lesions found are mainly located in skeletal muscle. Due to the small number of cases of spontaneous poisoning reported, and the severity of such, the objective was to report epidemiological, clinical, and pathological aspects, observed in an isolated case of spontaneous poisoning by S. occidentalis in a Holstein heifer in the State of Paraná, southern Brazil.Case: A 20-month-old Holstein heifer presented clinical signs suggestive for muscular degeneration, such as permanent sternal decubitus, muscle tremors and dark colored urine. The presence of the plant in the farm where the animal was, together with the macroscopic and microscopic changes posteriorly observed, accounted for the diagnosis. The treatment used was not effective and the animal died three days after the first clinical manifestations...(AU)
Cerca de 200 espécies de plantas do gênero Senna estão presentes no continente americano [9]. A maioria das intoxicações, em bovinos, são decorrentes da ingestão de S. occidentalis [3], também relatadas em suínos domésticos [11], javalis [17] e equinos [1]. A intoxicação ocorre pela ingestão da planta ou partes dela, sendo as sementes aparte mais tóxica [19]. As principais consequências são miopatia e cardiomiopatia degenerativas [16] acarretando significativa mortalidade em bovinos, principalmente na região sul do Brasil [2]. A ingestão pode ocorrer espontaneamente, através de pastejo, ou acidentalmente, pela contaminação de concentrado com partes da planta [16], intoxicando animais isoladamente ou em forma de surtos, forma mais comum, podendo acometer até 60% do rebanho [2]. Os principais sinais clínicos consistem em fraqueza e tremor muscular, dificuldade de locomoção, incoordenação, decúbito esternal permanente, mioglobinúria e morte, e as lesões encontradas são localizadas, principalmente, na musculatura esquelética onde, macroscopicamente, observa-se áreas pálidas e áreas normais intercaladas e, microscopicamente, miopatia tóxica degenerativa [1,19].Devido ao baixo número de relatos de intoxicação espontânea e à gravidade desta patologia, objetivou-se relatar os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos observados em um caso isolado de intoxicação espontânea...(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Cattle , Senna Plant/toxicity , Air , Muscle Weakness/veterinary , Plants, Toxic , Myoglobinuria/veterinary , Muscular Diseases/veterinaryABSTRACT
The epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings of field and experimental Senna obtusifolia (sicklepod; coffee senna) poisoning in cattle are described. The low availability of good quality forage and high rate of infestation of pastures by S. obtusifolia were the factors that led to poisonous plant ingestion. In this study, the morbidity ranged between 2% and 27.9%, and the lethality was 100%. For the experimental study, six cattle were fed with the aerial parts of S. obtusifolia collected in three different seasons at 9%-38% of the animal's body weight. The experimental and field diseases were similar. The main clinical signs were diarrhea, reluctance to move, muscular weakness and recumbency. The gross findings included pale discoloration of the skeletal muscle. Microscopically, the affected cattle showed degeneration and necrosis of the skeletal muscles and occasionally of the cardiac muscles. Additionally, two cattle showed centrilobular hepatic necrosis. In this study, S. obtusifolia collected from the same farm showed seasonal variation in toxicity. Poisoning by S. obtusifolia is an important cause of death of cattle in the Central Western region of Brazil. The toxicosis caused by this plant is similar to S. occidentalis poisoning; however, in S. obtusifolia poisoning, acute hepatic necrosis is sometimes present.
Subject(s)
Cattle Diseases/chemically induced , Cattle Diseases/epidemiology , Cattle Diseases/pathology , Disease Outbreaks/veterinary , Massive Hepatic Necrosis/veterinary , Muscular Diseases/veterinary , Senna Plant/toxicity , Animals , Brazil/epidemiology , Cattle , Histological Techniques/veterinary , Massive Hepatic Necrosis/chemically induced , Morbidity , Muscle, Skeletal/pathology , Muscular Diseases/chemically induced , Muscular Diseases/epidemiology , Muscular Diseases/pathology , SeasonsABSTRACT
Descreve-se um surto de intoxicação por Senna occidentalis em javalis no Estado de Goiás. De um rebanho de 80 javalis, 15 adoeceram e um morreu. Os sinais clínicos observados foram apatia, prostração, ataxia, tremores musculares, incoordenação, relutância em mover-se, decúbito esternal ou lateral, paresia e paralisia espástica, principalmente dos membros pélvicos. As principais alterações macroscópicas consistiam de palidez moderada a acentuada da musculatura esquelética dos membros pélvicos e torácicos e no lombo, especialmente nos músculos da coxa. Microscopicamente, observou-se degeneração e necrose flocular, multifocal, leve a moderada, monofásica, com fragmentação de fibras na musculatura esquelética. Nos cortes transversais, havia fibras musculares tumefeitas e hipereosinofílicas. Adicionalmente, havia degeneração microvacuolar hepatocelular difusa, leve a moderada. A atividade sérica da CK estava acentuadamente elevada em dois javalis avaliados e da TGO aumentou em um javali afetado.(AU)
An outbreak of poisoning by Senna occidentalis in wild boars in Goiás, Brazil, is described. Out of 80 wild boars, 15 were affected and one died. Clinical signs included apathy, muscle tremors, incoordination, reluctance to move, sternal or lateral recumbence, and paresis and spastic paralysis, especially in the hind limbs. Gross lesions were characterized by moderate to severe paleness of the skeletal muscles of the hind and thoracic limbs and loin, and were marked in the thigh muscles. Histologically, a monophasic, mild to moderate, multifocal floccular muscle degeneration and necrosis with skeletal fiber sarcoplasmic fragmentation was observed. In transverse sections there were multiple swollen and hypereosinophilic muscle fibers. In addition, mild to moderate, diffuse microvacuolar degeneration was seen in the liver. Creatine phosphokinase serum activity was severely elevated in two evaluated wild boars. In one of them, there was elevation of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase serum activity.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Swine , Poisoning/veterinary , Senna Plant/toxicity , Sus scrofa , Plants, Toxic/poisoning , Cassia/toxicityABSTRACT
Sixteen outbreaks of Senna occidentalis (coffee senna) that occurred in cattle in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were reviewed. The great majority (75 percent) of the outbreaks occurred in adult cattle at pasture during the autumn and winter months with 50 percent in May, evidencing a striking seasonality. Mortality rates varied from 4.2 percent to 55.2 percent and cattle died 2 days up to 2 weeks after showing clinical signs that included dry feces (occasionally diarrhea), muscle weakness, reluctance to move, tachypnea, instability of the hind limbs with dragging of the toes, tremors in muscles of the thighs, neck, and head, ear dropping, sternal recumbency, lateral recumbency and death. Myoglobinuria characterized by a dark red or black discolored urine was a consistent finding in cattle affected at pasture but not in those poisoned by ration contaminated with coffee senna beans. Creatine phosphokinase serum activity was marked ly elevated. Main gross changes observed in 23 necropsies involved skeletal muscles of the hind limbs. These changes consisted of varying degrees of paleness of muscle groups. Subepicardial and subendocardial hemorrhages were present in the hearts of all affected cattle. Histologically a segmental degenerative myopathy of striated muscles was present in every case and had a multifocal polyphasic or monophasic character. Myocardial (3/23), hepatic (3/13), renal (3/10), and splenic (1/6) microscopic lesions were observed occasionally. Myocardial lesions were mild and consisted of vacuolation of cardiomyocytes or focal fibrosis. Hepatic changes consisted of diffuse hepatocelular vacuolation, cytosegrosomes within hepatocytes, and individual hepatocellular necrosis. Kidneys had vacuolar degeneration of tubular epithelium associated with acidophilic casts (proteinosis) within tubular lumina. In the spleen there was marked necrosis of lymphocytes of the white pulp. No histological changes were found in the brains of 13 affected cattle. The data of this study suggest that coffee senna poisoning is an important cause of death in cattle in southern Brazil.(AU)
Dezesseis surtos de intoxicação por Senna occidentalis (fedegoso) em bovinos do Rio Grande do Sul foram revisados. A grande maioria dos surtos (75 por cento) ocorreu em bovinos adultos em pastoreio durante o outono e inverno com 50 por cento dos surtos em maio, evidenciando uma notável sazonalidade. Os coeficientes de mortalidade variaram de 4,2 por cento a 55,2 por cento e os bovinos morriam 2 dias a duas semanas após mostrarem sinais clínicos que incluíam fezes ressecadas (ocasionalmente diarreia), fraqueza muscular, relutância em mover-se, taquipneia, instabilidade dos membros pélvicos com arrastamento das pinças, tremores nos músculos das coxas, pescoço e cabeça; orelhas caídas, decúbito esternal, decúbito lateral, e morte. Mioglobinúria, caracterizada por urina vermelho-escura ou preta foi regularmente encontrada em bovinos afetados em pastoreio, mas não naqueles que se intoxicaram ao ingerir ração contaminada com as sementes da planta. A atividade sérica da creatina fosfocinase estava acentuadamente elevada. As principais alterações macroscópicas observadas em 23 necropsias envolviam os músculos esqueléticos dos membros pélvicos. Essas alterações consistiam de graus variáveis de palidez em grupos musculares. Hemorragias subepicárdicas e subendocárdicas ocorreram nos corações de todos os bovinos afetados. Histologicamente, miopatia degenerativa dos músculos estriados esteve presente em todos os casos e tinha um caráter multifocal monofásico ou polifásico. Lesões microscópicas no miocárdio (3/23), fígado (3/13), rim (3/10) e baço (1/6) foram ocasionalmente observadas. As lesões miocárdicas eram discretas e consistiam de vacuolização dos cardiomiócitos ou fibrose focal. As lesões hepatocelulares consistiam de vacuolização difusa, formação de citossegrossomos e necrose individual. Nos rins havia degeneração vacuolar do epitélio tubular associada a cilindros eosinofílicos (proteinose) na luz tubular. No baço havia marcada necrose de linfócitos da polpa branca. Nenhuma alteração foi encontrada ao exame histológico do encéfalo de 13 bovinos afetados. Os dados deste estudo sugerem que a intoxicação por fedegoso é uma importante causa de morte em bovinos do sul do Brasil.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Cattle , Cattle , Senna Plant/poisoning , Senna Plant/toxicity , Plant Poisoning , Disease Outbreaks/veterinaryABSTRACT
Senna occidentalis is a weed toxic to different animal species. Very little is known about the effects of prolonged exposure to low doses of S. occidentalis on developmental toxicology. Thus, the present study proposes an approach to evaluate the perinatal toxicity of S. occidentalis seeds in goats. Twenty-one pregnant goats were fed rations containing 0% (control), 1% (So1 group), 2% (So2 group) and 4% (So4 group) mature S. occidentalis seeds from pregnancy detection on day 27 after mating until parturition; weight gains and serum biochemistry were evaluated. Fetuses were evaluated using ultrasonographic measurements; neonates were evaluated by body morphometry, weight gains, and serum biochemistry. Fetal resorption occurred in 2 So4 dams and one dam died. Only a few minor alterations in serum biochemistry occurred in dams and kids; even so one So4 group dam had tissue lesions as vacuolations in hepatocytes and kidneys; necrosis in skeletal and cardiac muscles and for the first time lesions were observed in sciatic nerve cells. No relevant alterations in body morphometry were observed. This study suggests that 4% S. occidentalis seeds is toxic for pregnant goats, but levels of seeds less than 4% have little impact on fetal and post birth body development.
Subject(s)
Animal Feed/toxicity , Goats/growth & development , Maternal Exposure/adverse effects , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/etiology , Senna Plant/toxicity , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Female , Fetal Death/pathology , Gestational Age , Goats/blood , Goats/embryology , Heart Rate, Fetal , Pregnancy , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/blood , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/pathology , Seeds/toxicity , Toxicity TestsABSTRACT
This study investigated possible immunotoxic effects of Senna occidentalis (So) seeds incorporated in broiler chicken rations at different concentrations (0.0%, 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%), for 28 or 42 days. We evaluated innate immune function (macrophage activities of spreading, phagocytosis, peroxide and nitric oxide production) and acquired immune function (humoral and cellular immune responses), as well as lymphoid organ weights and pathology. There was enhanced macrophage activity, as hydrogen peroxide production increased (P < 0.05) in cells of birds given 0.75%So, but there were no other pro-inflammatory effects. Birds receiving 0.75% of So in ration for 42 days gained less weight (P < 0.01), and showed a decrease in relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius (P < 0.05) and spleen (P < 0.01). In addition, morphological changes were also noted in these lymphoid organs, with depletion of lymphoid cells on the spleen and bursa of Fabricius, resulting in lower relative weight of both lymphoid organs. No impairment of humoral immune response against Newcastle disease and in cellular immune response after a phytohaemagglutinin challenge was found. It is probable that mitochondrial damage and related apoptosis may be responsible for the enhanced peroxide production and the reduced relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius and spleen.
Subject(s)
Chickens , Plant Poisoning/veterinary , Poultry Diseases/immunology , Senna Plant/toxicity , Weight Gain , Animal Feed , Animals , Antibody Formation , Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic , Food Contamination/analysis , Immunity, Cellular , Immunity, Innate , Lymph Nodes/anatomy & histology , Lymph Nodes/immunology , Organ Size , Plant Poisoning/immunology , Random Allocation , Seeds/toxicity , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Senna occidentalis (So) is a weed that grows in pastures along fences and in fields cultivated with cereals such as corn and soybean, and many reports have been showing intoxication with this plant in different animal species. It is also used in many medicinal purposes. The objective of the present study was to better evaluate the toxic effects of prolonged administration of So seeds to rats. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 10 animals each, three of them respectively fed rations containing 1%, 2% and 4% So seeds, and the last one (control) fed commercial ration for a period of 2 weeks. Fourteen rats were also used in a pair-feeding (PF) experiment. The rats of the experimental groups showed lethargy, weakness, recumbency, depression and emaciation. Two rats of the 4% group and two of the PF group died during the experiment. Histopathological study showed fiber degenerations in the skeletal (Tibial, pectoral and diaphragm) and cardiac muscles. In the liver parenchyma, was observed vacuolar degeneration and, in the kidney, mild nefrosis in the proximal convoluted tubules. All of these alterations occurred in a dose-dependent fashion. Moderate to severe degeneration and spongiosis in the central nervous system, especially in cerebellum. Electron microscopy revealed mitochondrial lesions in all analyzed tissues.
Subject(s)
Senna Plant/chemistry , Senna Plant/toxicity , Animal Feed , Animals , Central Nervous System/pathology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Kidney/pathology , Liver/pathology , Male , Mitochondria/pathology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Seeds/chemistryABSTRACT
Senna occidentalis (L) Link (formerly called Cassia occidentalis) is a toxic leguminous plant found ubiquitously as a contaminant of crops. All parts of the plant are toxic, but most of the S. occidentalis toxicity is found in the seeds. S. occidentalis has been shown to be toxic to several animal species, causing degenerative lesions mainly in muscles. This is the first report describing alterations in chick lymphoid organs caused by S. occidentalis seeds. The objectives of this study were to describe the effects of the treatment with seeds and its fraction external tegument (TE) on the development of chicks and their lymphoid organs bursa of Fabricius and spleen. Chicks that received a commercial ration with 1% TE had reduced body and lymphoid organ weights. The bursa of Fabricius presented reduction in the diameters of the follicles, and in the thickness of the cortical and medullary regions. The spleen presented depleted lymphoid tissue in the white pulp. These results indicate that the active principle of S. occidentalis is more concentrated on its TE fraction, and that it can cause weight loss as well as alterations in the lymphoid organs in chicks. The consequences of these alterations should be further investigated.
Subject(s)
Bursa of Fabricius/pathology , Chickens , Plant Poisoning/veterinary , Poultry Diseases/pathology , Seeds/toxicity , Senna Plant/toxicity , Animal Feed , Animals , Food Contamination , Lymphoid Tissue/pathology , Organ Size , Plant Poisoning/etiology , Plant Poisoning/pathology , Poultry Diseases/etiology , Random Allocation , Spleen/pathologyABSTRACT
Se realizó el estudio fitofarmacológico de Senna spectabilis. Se efectuó la extracción de los alcaloides de la corteza de la planta y se determinó su actividad farmacológica y su toxicidad. Se demostró un efecto anticoagulante de los alcaloides totales y se logró reproducir en el animal experimental las alteraciones hematológicas. Los alcaloides muestran un aumento de la actividad motriz espontánea, inferior a la producida por la anfetamina, pero notoria en la dosis de 25 mg/Kg. La administración de los alcaloides a los animales de experimentación produce, además, convulsiones. Se determinó en ratones la DL50 de los alcaloides totales, obteniéndose un resultado de 31 mg/Kg de peso. Se efectuó un estudio histopatológico de algunos órganos de las ratas y ratones utilizados en los ensayos de actividad farmacológica y se observaron daños ocasionados por la administración de los alcaloides totales