Acute and Subacute Toxicity Evaluation of Alkaloids of Peganum h armala L . i n Experimental Mice

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the acute and subacute toxicity of total alkaloids seeds of Peganum harmala in female mice . All morphological, biochemical, hematological , histopathological changes, in addition to mortality and bodyweight changes were recorded. After a cute intraperitoneal administration of dose 1 18 mg/ kg, there were no any remarkable changes in general appearance and mortality. After 24h , a significant increase in relative weights of heart and brain with no change in hematological, biochemical parameter compared to the normal group. For 5 days a significant reduction in the relative weights of the kidneys and increase of brain with significant change in hematological (MCHC, MCV) and biochemical parameter (AST, ALP and Urea). S ubacute study of dose (18 mg/kg) for 28 days showed no remarkable changes in general appearance and deaths occurred in experimental group. A significant increa se in relative weight of brain compared to the normal group was observed. In biochemical parameters, a significant increase was seen in both ALT and AST enzyme activities. There was no significant change in hematological parameters. Histopathological examination revealed a ground glass appearance of hepatocytes and the vascular congestion . Alkaloids seeds of P.harmala showed significant toxicity in female mice.