Acute and subacute toxicity evaluation of ethanolic extract
from fruits of Schinus molle in rats
ADRIANA FERRERO, ALEJANDRA MINETTI, CRISTINA BRAS, NOELIA ZANETTI
Abstract
Ethanolic and hexanic extracts from fruits and leaves of Schinus molle showed ability to control several insect pests. Potential vertebrate toxicity associated with insecticidal plants requires investigation before institutional promotion. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute and subacute toxicity of ethanolic extracts from fruits of Schinus molle in rats. The plant extract was added to the diet at 2 g/kg body weight/day during 1 day to evaluate acute toxicity and at 1 g/kg body weight/day during 14 days to evaluate subacute toxicity. At the end of the exposure and after 7 days, behavioral and functional parameters in a functional observational battery and motor activity in an open field were assessed. Finally, histopathological examinations were conducted on several organs. In both exposures, an increase in the arousal level was observed in experimental groups. Also, the landing foot splay parameter increased in the experimental group after acute exposure. Only the subacute exposure produced a significant increase in the motor activity in the open field. All these changes disappeared after 7 days. None of the exposures affected the different organs evaluated. Our results suggest that ethanolic extracts from fruits and leaves of Schinus molle should be relatively safe to use as insecticide. © 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Schinus molle; Toxicity; Functional observational battery; Motor activity; Rats
Acute-and-subacute-toxicity-evaluation-of-ethanolic-extract-from-fruits-of-Schinus-molle-in-rats.pdf
Antidepressant-like effect of the extract from leaves of Schinus molle L. in
mice: Evidence for the involvement of the monoaminergic system
DANIELE G. MACHADO, MANUELLA P. KASTER, RICARDO W. BINFARÉ, MUNIQUE DIAS,
ADAIR R.S. SANTOS, MOACIR G. PIZZOLATTI, INÊS M.C. BRIGHENTE, ANA LÚCIA S. RODRIGUES
Abstract
Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae), among other uses, is popularly employed for the treatment of depression. In this study, the antidepressantlike effect of the hexanic extract from leaves of S. molle was investigated in the mouse tail suspension test (TST), a predictive model of depression. The immobility time in the TST was significantly reduced by the extract (dose range 30–600 mg/kg, p.o.), without accompanying changes in ambulation when assessed in an open-field test. The efficacy of extract was found to be comparable to that of fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, p.o.). The anti-immobility effect of the extract (100 mg/kg, p.o.) was prevented by pretreatment of mice with p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (PCPA, 100 mg/kg, i.p., an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis, for four consecutive days), NAN-190 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist), WAY100635 (0.1 mg/kg, s.c., a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist), ketanserin (5 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist), MDL72222 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist), prazosin (1 mg/kg, i.p., an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist), yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p., an α2-adrenoceptor antagonist), SCH23390 (0.05 mg/kg, s.c., a D1 receptor antagonist) or sulpiride (50 mg/kg, i.p., a D2 receptor antagonist). It may be concluded that the hexanic extract of S. molle produces an antidepressant-like effect that seems to be dependent on its interaction with the serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. These results provide evidence that the extract from S. molle shares with established antidepressants some pharmacological effects, at least at a preclinical level. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Depression; Dopamine; Noradrenaline; Schinus molle, Serotonin; Tail suspension test
Antidepressant-like-effect-of-the-extract-from-leaves-of-Schinus-molle.pdf
Schinus molle: a New Source of Natural Fungitoxicantt
ANUPAM DIKSHIT, ALI A. NAQVI, AND AKHTAR HUSAIN
Abstract
The oil of Schinus molle exhibited the maximum fungitoxic activity during the screening of some essential oils against some common storage and animal pathogenic fungi. It showed absolute toxicity against animal pathogens and mild activity against storage fungi. The effective concentrations of the oil varied from 200 to 900 ppm. The toxicity of the oil persisted up to 80°C and 90 days of storage but declined when autoclaved. It withstood heavy inoculum density. The oil exhibited a narrow range of activity and was found to be more effective than Multifungin, an antifungal drug. The oil was characterized by its various physicochemical properties. It was found to comprise 50 constituents. It appeared that some changes in the oil constituents during storage affected its fungitoxic potency.
Appl.-Environ.-Microbiol.-1986-Dikshit-1085-8.pdf
Biological activity of Schinus molle on Triatoma infestans
A.A. FERRERO, J.O. WERDIN GONZÁLEZ, C. SÁNCHEZ CHOPA
Abstract
Hexanic extracts from leaves and fruits of Schinus molle were tested for repellent and insecticidal properties against first instar nymphs and eggs of Triatoma infestans, the vector of Chagas' disease. Leaf and fruit extracts were highly repellent for first nymphs. Fruit extracts had also ovicidal activity. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Schinus molle; Triatoma infestans; Repellent activity; Ovicidal activity
Biological-activity-of-Schinus-molle-on-Triatoma-infestans.pdf
Repellence and toxicity of Schinus molle extracts
on Blattella germanica
A.A. FERRERO A, C. SÁNCHEZ CHOPA, J.O. WERDIN GONZÁLEZ, R.A. ALZOGARAY
Abstracts
The biological activities of ethanol and petroleum ether extracts from leaves and fruits of Schinus molle against adults of Blattella germanica were examined by repellence test and topical application. All extracts produced significant repellent effect and mortality. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Schinus molle; Blattella germanica; Repellent activity; Adulticidal activity
Repellence-and-toxicity-of-Schinus-molle-extracts-on-Blattella-germanica.pdf