Abstract

This study was designed to explore the safety and side effects of the different extracts (water, ethanolic and methanolic) of Achillea fragrantissima given acutely or on repeated doses (125 and 250 mg/kg) in rats. Acute and subchronic toxicity, as well as reproductive (fertility, embryotoxicity and teratogenecity, peri-and postnatal study) effects were recorded on treated and control rats. Daily administration of the plant extract revealed no significant changes on the body weights, heart rates, and other physiological parameters. The plant extract induced a significant increase in total proteins and globulins in rats. It did not induce any abnormal liver and kidney functional changes as demonstrated by serum biochemical analysis in rats. Interestingly, the plant extract induced a significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine. Significant decrease in blood glucose level was detected in animals receiving 250 mg/kg of the extract. The plant extract did not affect fertility. Dosed males showed comparable data with the controls when dosed at 250 mg/kg b.wt. It did not cause any embryotoxic, teratogenic or any deleterious effects on the dosed females and their offspring. Litter size, survival rate and weight gain were comparable between groups. In conclusion, A. fragrantissima extract is a well tolerated substance and had a wide safety margin. The tested plant extracts did not induce any toxic effects even on repeated administration in rats for 2 months. Additionally, no evidences of impaired fertility, or teratogenic potentials at higher doses up to several times the recommended maximum human doses were detected.

Key words: Achillea fragrantissima, physiological parameters, fertility, embryotoxicity, teratogenicity.