Assessment of reproductive toxic potential of cordia ecalyculata vell hydroethanolic dry extract, in different doses, administered in Wistar rats

• Grant number: 12/17016-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2012
• End date: September 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Embryology
• Principal Investigator: Isabel Cristina Cherici Camargo
• Grantee: Lucas Giglio Colli
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL-ASSIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Assis. Assis , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Obesity is a worldwide problem, and the search for alternative methods to lose weight is increasing due to the few antiobesity drugs in the market. Natural products are gaining a wide market due to this demand, among them the Pholia Magra ®, being known as "antibarriga" herbal. This phytotherapeutic is prepared from Cordia ecalyculata, a plant that has been widely used in some cultures, the principle in South America, place of origin, and is currently spreading to many countries. Therapeutically the phytotherapic is used as a diuretic, stimulator of circulation, a cardiotonic, and as a reduction of swelling and appetite suppressant, and assist in the reduction of total cholesterol levels. However, little is known about their toxicological effects. None report was obtained on the effects of phytotherapic in reproduction. Thus, the goal of this study is to evaluate whether there is a dose-dependent effect of Cordia ecalyculata dry extract on male reproductive aspects of albino rats. Animals (n = 12/group) will be distributed in three groups treated with different doses of extract (20, 100, and 400 mg/kg of body weight) and a control group (1.5 mL distilled water). Doses were administered during 60 consecutive days, through a single dose, daily, oral via (gavage). At the end of the experimental period, six animals from each group will be sacrificed and the reproductive organs will be collected and weighed. The testes and epididymidis will be processed by the usual histological routine for analysis in light microscopy. The luminal content of one epididymis (cauda) will be obtained and smears are prepared and analyzed. The remaining animals of each group (n = 6) will be mated with untreated females for evaluation of fertility and fetal parameters.(AU)