Phytochemical and Toxicological Studies of Methanolic Extract of Lemon Verbena in Hamsters
Phytochemical and Toxicological Studies of Methanolic Extract of Lemon Verbena in Hamsters
Oumaima Abouyaala, Soukaina Bougrine, Mohamed Yassine El Brouzi*, Radia Elgui, Sara Brikat, Khadija Elmotia, Abdelhalem Mesfioui, Aboubaker El-Hessni, Moulay Laarbi Ouahidi
ABSTRACT
Lemon verbena, a member of the verbenacea family, originated from South America, and Africa, and is recognized for numerous biological activities and therapeutic effects. However, its potential toxicity and adverse effects necessitate thorough investigation. The present study investigated the acute and subacute toxicity of Lemon verbena, within 14- and 28-day exposure, respectively. In acute toxicity, female hamster was treated orally with methanolic extract of lemon verbena (MELV) at 1, 2, 3, and 5 g/kg bw, respectively. For subacute toxicity, doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg bw, of MELV were administered daily for 28 days, in male and female hamsters. Changes in body weight as well as biochemical, hematological, and histopathological parameters were studied. In the present study, we demonstrated that the extract exhibits high levels of total polyphenols, catechins, and gallic tannins. Oral LD50 value was higher than 5 g/kg bw in female hamster. In Subacute toxicity, no significant pathological changes were detected in biochemical parameters related to glycemia, lipid profile, renal and hepatic function; hematological parameters including erythrocyte parameters and, differential leukocyte count in both sex of hamsters treated with MELV at different doses. A lymphocyte infiltrate, a reduction in nitric oxide level, and an increase in catalase activity were observed in liver and kidney of hamster treated with 500mg/kg bw of MELV. This result suggests that methanolic extract of lemon verbena is considered as a non-toxic substance by a single administration. However, prolonged treatment with high doses of MELV should be used carefully.
Keywords | Lemon verbena, Methanol extract, Acute toxicity, Subacute toxicity, LD50, Phytochemical screening
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