Acute and Sub-Chronic Intraperitoneal Toxicity Studies of the <i>Elsholtzia ciliata</i> Herbal Extract in Balb/c Mice

<i>Elsholtzia ciliata</i> essential oil (<i>E. ciliata</i>) has been reported to have an impact on the cardiovascular system. However, its toxicity remains unknown. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to evaluate the toxicological aspects of the <i>E. cil...

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Main Authors: Regina Mačianskienė, Vilma Zigmantaitė, Inga Andriulė, Dalia Pangonytė, Ilona Sadauskienė, Odeta Arandarčikaitė, Arūnas Stankevičius, Juozas Grigas, Arnoldas Pautienius, Rimantas Treinys, Antanas Navalinskas, Ramunė Grigalevičiūtė, Audrius Kučinskas, Lauryna Pudžiuvelytė, Jurga Bernatonienė, Jonas Jurevičius
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Pharmaceutics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/10/2417
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Summary:<i>Elsholtzia ciliata</i> essential oil (<i>E. ciliata</i>) has been reported to have an impact on the cardiovascular system. However, its toxicity remains unknown. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to evaluate the toxicological aspects of the <i>E. ciliata</i> extract. Male Balb/c mice were subjected to either acute (a single dose administered for 24 h) or sub-chronic (daily dose for 60 days) intraperitoneal injections of the <i>E. ciliata</i> extract. The mice were assessed for blood hematological/biochemical profiles, mitochondrial functions, and histopathological changes. Additionally, in vitro cytotoxicity assessments of the <i>E. ciliata</i> extract were performed on immobilized primate kidney cells (MARC-145, Vero) and rat liver cells (WBF344) to evaluate cell viability. The control groups received an equivalent volume of olive oil or saline. Our results demonstrated no significant detrimental effects on hematological and biochemical parameters, mitochondrial functions, cellular cytotoxicity, or pathological alterations in vital organs following the intraperitoneal administration of the <i>E. ciliata</i> extract over the 60-day sub-chronic toxicity study. In general, <i>E. ciliata</i> displayed no indications of toxicity, suggesting that the <i>E. ciliata</i> extract is a safe natural product with a well-defined therapeutic and protective index (found to be 90 and 54, respectively) in Balb/c mice.
ISSN:1999-4923