Acute, subacute toxicity and mutagenic effects of anacardic acids from cashew (Anacardium occidentale Linn.) in mice

Autor(es)

Nicoletti Carvalho, Ana Laura ^[1] ; Annoni, Raquel ^[1] ; Pereira Silva, Paula Regina ^[1] ; Borelli, Primavera ^[2] ; Fock, Ricardo Ambrosio ^[2] ; Salles Trevisan, Maria Teresa ^[3] ; Mauad, Thais ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Expt Atmospher Pollut Lab LPAE, Dept Pathol, Sao Paulo Med Sch, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Expt Hematol Lab, Dept Clin & Toxicol Anal, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Ceara, Dept Organ & Inorgan Chem, BR-60451970 Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Journal of Ethnopharmacology; v. 135, n. 3, p. 730-736, JUN 1 2011.
• Citações Web of Science: 29

Resumo

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 24 h 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. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 07/05033-3 - Efeito dos ácidos anacárdicos no sistema respiratório de camundongos submetidos à instilação intranasal de partículas resultantes da combustão de diesel
• Beneficiário: Ana Laura Nicoletti Carvalho
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado Direto