Safety Assessment and Botanical Standardization of an Edible Species from South America.

Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae), commonly known as nasturtium, is an important edible plant native to the Andean States and widely disseminated throughout South America. Despite the use of this species is quite widespread, there are no minimum quality control standards or data on its genotoxicity. So, the aim of this study was to present a detailed anatomical and histochemical study for Tropaeolum majus and provide genotoxicity parameters of a preparation routinely used in South American countries. First, three different Tropaeolum majus aqueous extracts (TMAEs) at concentrations of 1.5%, 7%, and 15% were prepared according to the popular use. Then, genetic toxicity of TMAE was evaluated on bacterial reverse mutation, genomic lesions, and micronucleus formation in male rats. Furthermore, a detailed anatomical and histochemical study of the leaves and stems of Tropaeolum majus were performed. No revertant colonies were found in any bacterial cultures examined. In the comet assay, TMAE showed no significant DNA damage in all tested doses. Micronucleus assay showed no significant increases in the frequency of inducing micronuclei in any dose examined. Light and electron microscope images of cross-section of leaves and stems from Tropaeolum majus revealed useful diagnostic features. The presented data showed significant safety parameters for the use of TMAE and provided important data for the quality control of this plant species.

Traditional usages, botany, phytochemistry, biological activity and toxicology of tropaeolum majus L: a review / Usos tradicionales, botánica, fitoquímica, actividad biológica y toxicología de tropaeolum majus L: una revisión

Tropaeolum majus presents medicinal, nutritional and ornamental value. Plant extracts and fractions have been found to exhibit diuretic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Moreover, protective effects on blood and liver, scurvy’s treatment, antithrombin activity and prevention against macular degeneration have also been observed. T. majus contains biologically active compounds such as flavonoids, glucosilonates, fatty acids, essential oil, chlorogenic acid, aminoacids, cucurbitacins, proteins and carotenoids. Acute and subchronic studies demonstrated a lack of toxic effects, but the extracts of this plant can have deleterious consequences during the pregnancy. The revised databases were SciELO, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Portal da Capes, considering studies between 1963 and 2014 and by searching for terms like Tropaeolum majus, Tropaeolaceae, Tropaeolum majus constituents, Tropaeolum majus use and Tropaeolum majus toxicity.

Tropaeolum majus presenta valor medicinal, alimenticio y ornamental. A partir del extracto y las fracciones de la planta se han encontrado actividades biológicas, que incluyen efecto diurético, antihipertensivo, anti-inflamatorio, antimicrobiano y antioxidante. Además, efectos protectores sobre la sangre y el hígado, tratamiento del escorbuto, actividad antitrombina y prevención contra la degeneración macular. T. majus contiene compuestos biológicamente activos como flavonoides, glucosilonates, ácidos grasos, aceite esencial, ácido clorogénico, aminoácidos, cucurbitacinas, proteínas y carotenoides. Estudios de toxicidad aguda y subcrónica demostraron una falta de efectos toxicológicos, pero los extractos de esta planta pueden tener consecuencias perjudiciales durante el embarazo. Las bases de datos revisadas fueron SciELO, PubMed, ScienceDirect y Portal da Capes, teniendo en cuenta los estudios entre 1963 y 2014 y mediante la búsqueda de términos como Tropaeolum majus, Tropaeolaceae, Tropaeolum majus constituyentes, Tropaeolum majus usos y Tropaeolum majus toxicidad.

Evaluation of subchronic toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract of Tropaeolum majus in Wistar rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases usually comes from the belief that they present low toxicity due their natural origin. However, it is necessary a toxicological and pharmacological evaluation for these plants. Tropaeolum majus is a medicinal plant used in popular medicine to treat several diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, urinary tract infections and asthma. Even though several studies proved its therapeutic effects, there are few toxicological studies with this species. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was carried out to evaluate the subchronic toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract obtained from leaves of T. majus (HETM) in Wistar rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male and female Wistar rats received three doses of HETM (75, 375 and 750 mg/kg) for 28 days. After the treatments biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: No significant alterations in the animal's body weight gain, relative organs weight, serum biochemical analysis, hematological or histopathological analyses of liver, kidneys and spleen were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the absence of subchronic toxicity due to oral treatment with HETM for 28 days in Wistar rats. However, other toxicological studies are necessary to evaluate the total safety of this plant.