Toxicité induite par un traitement répété à l’extrait de Drimia maritima chez les rates albinos Wistar femelles.

Abstract

Drimia maritima is a bulbous medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, particularly cardiac glycosides and bufadienolides, which are responsible for both its therapeutic properties and its toxicity. Traditionally, this plant has been used to treat respiratory disorders, such as asthma, and liver diseases, including jaundice. It is also known for its cardiotonic and diuretic effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the subacute toxicity of an ethanolic extract obtained from Drimia maritima bulbs following repeated administration to female rates. The bulbs were collected from the Sétif region in northeastern Algeria, and the extract was prepared using the maceration technique. Healthy adult female albino Wistar rats were orally administered the ethanolic extract once daily at a dose of 25.88 mg/kg for 30 consecutive days. This dose corresponded to one-twentieth of the median lethal dose (LD50). The extraction yield was 26.21%. Phytochemical analysis using thin-layer chromatography confirmed the presence of cardiac glycosides. No deaths recorded during the experimental period. However, several clinical signs were observed, including hair loss, itching, diarrhea, constipation, reduced water consumption, hyperactivity, and aggressiveness, swelling of the tongue and throat, purplish discoloration, and breathing difficulties. No significant changes in body weight or relative organ weights were observed. However, biochemical, hematological, and hormonal analyses revealed significant alterations (P < 0.05). These changes included significant increases in the activities of the hepatic enzymes AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Changes in bilirubin levels were also observed, with an increase in direct bilirubin and decreases in total and indirect bilirubin. In addition, blood urea levels were significantly reduced. Hematological analysis showed increases in hematocrit, lymphocyte count, and platelet distribution width, whereas eosinophil count and plateletcrit decreased. Hormonal analysis revealed a reduction in estradiol levels and an increase in progesterone levels. Histological examination also revealed tissue alterations, particularly in the liver. In conclusion, repeated administration of the ethanolic extract of Drimia maritima bulbs induced clinical, biochemical, hematological, hormonal, and histological alterations in the studied female rats. These findings suggest that the liver is the primary target organ of toxicity. They also highlight the need for further toxicological investigations to better assess the safety of this plant and to gain a more precise understanding of its biological effects.

Keywords: Drimia maritima; subacute toxicity; ethanolic extract; bufadienolides; female albino Wistar rats.