AIM OF THE STUDY: Anacardium occidentale Linn. (cashew) is a Brazilian plant that is usually consumed in natura and is used in folk medicine. Anacardic acids (AAs) in the cashew nut shell liquid are biologically active as gastroprotectors, inhibitors of the activity of various deleterious enzymes, antitumor agents and antioxidants. Yet, there are no reports of toxicity testing to guarantee their use in vivo models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated AAs biosafety by measuring the acute, subacute and mutagenic effects of AAs administration in BALB/c mice. In acute tests, BALB/c mice received a single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg, whereas animals in subacute tests received 300, 600 and 1000 mg/kg for 30 days. Hematological, biochemical and histological analyses were performed in all animals. Mutagenicity was measured with the acute micronucleus test 24h after oral administration of 250 mg/kg AAs. RESULTS: Our results showed that the AAs acute minimum lethal dose in BALB/c mice is higher than 2000 mg/kg since this concentration did not produce any symptoms. In subacute tests, females which received the highest doses (600 or 1000 mg/kg) were more susceptible, which was seen by slightly decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels coupled with a moderate increase in urea. Anacardic acids did not produce any mutagenic effects. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that doses less than 300 mg/kg did not produce biochemical and hematological alterations in BALB/c mice. Additional studies must be conducted to investigate the pharmacological potential of this natural substance in order to ensure their safe use in vivo.
AIM OF THE STUDY: Anacardium occidentale Linn. (cashew) is a Brazilian plant that is usually consumed in natura and is used in folk medicine. Anacardic acids (AAs) in the cashew nut shell liquid are biologically active as gastroprotectors, inhibitors of the activity of various deleterious enzymes, antitumor agents and antioxidants. Yet, there are no reports of toxicity testing to guarantee their use in vivo models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated AAs biosafety by measuring the acute, subacute and mutagenic effects of AAs administration in BALB/c mice. In acute tests, BALB/c mice received a single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg, whereas animals in subacute tests received 300, 600 and 1000 mg/kg for 30 days. Hematological, biochemical and histological analyses were performed in all animals. Mutagenicity was measured with the acute micronucleus test 24h after oral administration of 250 mg/kg AAs. RESULTS: Our results showed that the AAs acute minimum lethal dose in BALB/c mice is higher than 2000 mg/kg since this concentration did not produce any symptoms. In subacute tests, females which received the highest doses (600 or 1000 mg/kg) were more susceptible, which was seen by slightly decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels coupled with a moderate increase in urea. Anacardic acids did not produce any mutagenic effects. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that doses less than 300 mg/kg did not produce biochemical and hematological alterations in BALB/c mice. Additional studies must be conducted to investigate the pharmacological potential of this natural substance in order to ensure their safe use in vivo.
Authors: Aracelli de Sousa Leite; Alisson Ferreira Dantas; George Laylson da Silva Oliveira; Antonio L Gomes Júnior; Sidney Gonçalo de Lima; Antônia Maria das Graças Lopes Citó; Rivelilson M de Freitas; Ana Amélia de C Melo-Cavalcante; José Arimateia Dantas Lopes Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2015-03-10 Impact factor: 3.411
Authors: Christopher P Mattison; Yvette Bren-Mattison; Barry Vant-Hull; Aurora M Vargas; Richard L Wasserman; Casey C Grimm Journal: Toxicol Rep Date: 2016-01-14
Authors: Ana Laura Nicoletti Carvalho; Raquel Annoni; Larissa Helena Lobo Torres; Ana Carolina Cardoso Santos Durão; Ana Lucia Borges Shimada; Francine Maria Almeida; Cristina Bichels Hebeda; Fernanda Degobbi Tenorio Quirino Santos Lopes; Marisa Dolhnikoff; Milton Arruda Martins; Luiz Fernando Ferraz Silva; Sandra Helena Poliselli Farsky; Paulo Hilário Nascimento Saldiva; Cornelia M Ulrich; Robert W Owen; Tania Marcourakis; Maria Teresa Salles Trevisan; Thais Mauad Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2013-02-27 Impact factor: 2.629