Abstract

ARTEAGA PEREZ, María Elena et al. Evaluation of fluid extract from Pluchea carolinensis (jacq.) G. Don. by the toxicity class method in rats. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2008, vol.13, n.4, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1028-4796.

INTRODUCTION: beach salvia, Pluchea carolinensis (Jacq.)G. Don has been used for long in traditional medicines to abate fevers, slow digestion, kidney pains, headache, and hoarseness. OBJETIVES: to classify fluid extract from beach salvia according to the acute toxicity class method, by starting with a 2000 mg/kg dose. METHODS: the fluid extract from beach salvia dry leaves was evaluated through the toxicity class test that allows classifying the substance into a range of toxicity. Six Cenp:SPRD subline female rats from CENPALAB (Center of lab animal production) were used. They were orally administered a single dose of 2000 mg of beach salvia fluid extract per kg of body weight on fasting. The observation period was 14 days to monitor daily environmental conditions, the occurrence of toxicity signs and death as well as the body weight at 0^th,7^th and 14^th day. RESULTS: the six rats survived. No sign of toxicity was observed after the administration of the extract at 2000 mg/kg dose. In the anatomopathological assessment, no macroscopic alterations were seen in the external surface or in the cavities, organs and tissues of the animals. CONCLUSIONS: according to this toxicity class method, the substance is not classified since LD₅₀ is higher than 2 000 mg/kg.

Keywords : Toxicity class; rats; Pluchea carolinensis; Asteraceae.