Analysis toxicity by different methods and anxiolytic effect of the aqueous extract Lippia sidoides Cham.
Cícera Janaine Camilo, Débora Odília Duarte Leite, Johnatan Wellisson da Silva Mendes, Alexandro Rodrigues Dantas, Natália Kelly Gomes de Carvalho, José Walber Gonçalves Castro, Gerson Javier Torres Salazar, Maria Kueirislene Amâncio Ferreira, Jane Eire Alencar de Meneses, Antônio Wlisses da Silva, Hélcio Silva dos Santos, Josean Fechine Tavares, Joanda P. R. e Silva, Fabíola Fernandes Galvão Rodrigues, Chunhoo Cheon, Bonglee Kim, José Galberto Martins da Costa
Abstract
Lippia sidoides Cham. (Verbenaceae) is a species often mentioned in traditional medicine due to the medicinal properties attributed to its leaves, which include antibacterial, antifungal, acaricidal and antioxidant. Several of these actions have been scientifically proven, according to reports in the literature; however, little is known about toxicological aspects of this plant. This work included studies to determine the chemical composition and toxicity tests, using several methods aiming to evaluate the safety for use of the aqueous extract of L. sidoides leaves, in addition, the anxiolytic effect on adult zebrafish was investigated, thus contributing to the pharmacological knowledge and traditional medicine concerning the specie under study. The chemical profile was determined by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry-HPLC/MS with electrospray ionization. Toxicity was evaluated by zebrafish, Drosophila melanogaster, blood cells, and Artemia salina models. 12 compounds belonging to the flavonoid class were identified. In the toxicity assays, the observed results showed low toxicity of the aqueous extract in all tests performed. In the analysis with zebrafish, the highest doses of the extract were anxiolytic, neuromodulating the GABAa receptor. The obtained results support the safe use of the aqueous extract of L. sidoides leaves for the development of new drugs and for the use by populations in traditional medicine.