RESUMEN
In this study, the long-term (6 months) biochemical effects of varying levels of Catha edulis leaves on the plasma concentration of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, total protein, albumin, uric acid, urea and creatinine were examined. Our results demonstrated a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol throughout the treatment period by all levels of C. edulis leaves tested. This significant decrease in plasma cholesterol was halved at the end of the treatment period and corresponded with a significant increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol and a significant decrease in plasma glucose and triglycerides concentrations. Moreover, C. edulis treatment increased plasma uric acid significantly, in a time-dependent manner with the higher concentrations (20% and 30%) of C. edulis leaves. Only plasma albumin was decreased significantly at the end of the treatment period, with no significant effect on plasma total protein. This also coincided with a significant, dose-dependent decrease in plasma urea at month 6, with no significant effect on plasma creatinine concentration.
Asunto(s)
Catha/toxicidad , Animales , Glucemia/efectos de los fármacos , Proteínas Sanguíneas/efectos de los fármacos , Colesterol/sangre , Creatinina/sangre , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Esquema de Medicación , Hojas de la Planta/química , Conejos , Albúmina Sérica/efectos de los fármacos , Triglicéridos/sangre , Urea/sangre , Ácido Úrico/sangreRESUMEN
In this study the long term (6 months) toxicological effect of varying levels of Catha edulis leaves were examined on the plasma concentration of liver enzymes as well as the histopathology of tissue sections of the liver. Both biochemical and histopathological data presented demonstrate signs of C. edulis toxicity. Our results show a significant increase in plasma levels of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) with all levels of C. edulis leaves tested and throughout the treatment period. The increase of ALP was more prominent than both ALT and AST at the higher level of 30%. Plasma levels of AST though were only moderately increased at the higher level of 30% at the early stage of treatment (3 months) it significantly increased with all levels of C. edulis leaves in the long term (4-6 months). In addition, a time-dependent gradual increase in indirect bilirubin with a concomitant decrease in direct bilirubin levels were observed with the lower level of C. edulis (10%) with no signs of haemolysis. Histopathology of tissue sections of liver display evidences of increasing chronic inflammation with porto-portal fibrosis in the tissue sections obtained from animals treated with both 20 and 30% C. edulis.
Asunto(s)
Catha/toxicidad , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Alanina Transaminasa/sangre , Fosfatasa Alcalina/sangre , Animales , Aspartato Aminotransferasas/sangre , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Hígado/patología , Hojas de la Planta , ConejosRESUMEN
In this study the short term (3 months) toxicological effects of varying levels of Catha edulis leaves were examined on the plasma concentration of liver enzymes and the histopathology of tissue sections of various organs including the liver, kidneys, spleen and testis. Both the biochemical and histopathological data demonstrated, initial signs of Catha edulis toxicity. Our results show a significant increase in plasma levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with all levels of Catha edulis leaves tested and throughout the treatment period. The increase of ALP was more prominent than that of ALT. The plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were only moderately increased at the higher dose (30%) in the later stages of treatment. In addition, a time-dependent gradual increase in indirect bilirubin with a concomitant decrease in direct bilirubin levels was observed with the 30% Catha edulis with no signs of haemolysis. The histopathology of tissue sections of the liver displayed evidence of congestion of the central liver veins as well as acute hepatocellular degenerative and regenerative activities in the tissue sections obtained from animals treated with both 20% and 30% Catha edulis. Similarly, histopathological examination of the tissue sections of the kidneys showed some lesions, and the degree of the lesion increased as the dose of Catha edulis leaves increased including: the presence of fat droplets particularly seen in the upper cortical tubules; acute cellular swelling; hyaline tubules; and acute tubular nephrosis. In contrast, Catha edulis treatment did not affect the spleen and increased the rate of spermatogenesis in male rabbits with the spermatozoa being quite evident, the Leydig cells were in good condition and were not affected by the doses given.