RESUMEN
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Dilodendron bipinnatum Radlk., Sapindaceae, is popularly known as 'mulher-pobre'. Its stem bark macerate or decoction is popularly used mainly to treat uterine inflammation and bone fractures. Acute oral and subchronic toxicities of the hydroethanolic extract of Dilodendron bipinnatum (HEDb) were investigated as well as the classes of phytochemical present in the extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute toxicity of HEDb was investigated by hippocratic screening in Swiss mice, cytotoxicity and potential genotoxic effect were evaluated with micronucleus test in the CHO-k1cells. Subchronic oral toxicity of HEDb was assessed in Wistar rats with graded doses of HEDb repeatedly administered for 30 days, in order to evaluate the behavioral changes, weight gain, water and feed consumption, urine and feces excretion, hematological and biochemical parameters and histopathological examinations of vital organs. RESULTS: In hippocratic screening doses up to 5000 mg/kg p.o. did not cause any changes in female mice, while signs of reduction in motility, increased respiratory rate and tail erection were observed in male mice but were all reversed within an hour. In cytotoxicity assay, IC50 was 118±1.55 µg/mL in CHO-k1 cells. Micronucleus test demonstrated that the plant extract is non-genotoxic. In subchronic toxicity studies, minor change was observed as an increase in the urine output in the last 18 days of treatment with 500 mg/kg of HEDb, while other parameters remained unchanged. All alterations observed were discrete and minor in nature and were not accompanied by any relevant clinical signs or any toxicologically significant biochemical, hematological and histopathological changes. Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of aurones, chalcones, coumarins, flavonones, flavononoids, phenols, and saponins. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate high safety profile of HEDb in both experimental animals and cell models assays. However, there may be risk of hepatotoxicity in the use of the extract at high doses for a prolonged period.