Influência da exposição ao extrato etanólico obtido das flores de Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) D.C. durante os períodos pré-gestacional, gestacional e pós-parto, em ratos

Abstract

Achyrocline satureioides (LAM) D.C., popularly known as "macela", is a species very used in folk medicine, and their parts are used in the form of infusion and decoction with several medicinal purposes, such as, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, among others. However, there is little information available in the literature regarding the toxic effects of this species. Thus, considering its therapeutic potential versus a lack of studies of its toxicity, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the exposure to the ethanolic extract of A. satureioides flowers during the pre-gestational, gestational and postpartum period in Wistar rats, through reproductive and developmental parameters. The animals were divided into 4 experimental groups: three groups received doses of 250, 500 or 750 mg/kg of extract, orally (gavage), while 1 group received vehicle (control group). The treatment with A. sauteiroides extract included three periods (pre-mating, mating and post-mating). Male adult rats were treated for 28 days (2 weeks before mating, during mating and, 2 weeks after mating), while the adult females were treated 2 weeks before mating, during mating, during pregnancy and 13 days of lactation. After treatment, the animals were killed and reproductive and developmental parameters were evaluated. After phytochemical analysis, substances as quercetin, luteolin, among others, were found in this extract. All parameters analysed in the females were not altered by the extract. However, it was observed an increase in the calcium and TSH levels in the treated-dams. Although the hormones (TSH and T4) evaluated were not altered in pups, there was an increase in the body weight of the pups whose mothers were treated with the extract. All males treated with the extract were able to copulate with the females. However, after sperm count, a significant decrease in the number of spermatids in the testis and in the daily sperm production of animals exposed to 500 and 750 mg/kg of extract was observed. Our results suggest that the ethanolic extract of A. satureioides flowers was toxic to the male reproductive system, since important male reproductive parameters were affected by the treatment, without compromising their fertility. In addition, the extract appears to have affected the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis of the exposed mothers.