Hepatotoxicity evaluation of an aqueous extract of Clinopodium vimineum (L.) Kuntze in female Wistar rats

Abstract

Clinopodium vimineum has been used to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms due to its carminative and antispasmodic properties. Besides, it has been associated with antimicrobial, sedative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and healing effects. Nevertheless, its essential oil has hepatotoxic compounds such as pulegone, so the plant's possible hepatotoxic effect on aqueous extract was evaluated with a female Wistar rats model. An aqueous extract of the vegetal material was prepared, and an assay was carried out with three experimental groups of five subjects each. The first consisted of a control group that did not receive the extract; the second was treated for four days with the extract, receiving a loading dose on the first day. The third was similar to the previous one, except for not receiving the indicated loading dose. Each animal was evaluated for some hepatic function parameters (alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase). Likewise, histopathological analysis of the liver was performed. With the information obtained, it was impossible to establish that the aqueous extract of C. vimineum has a hepatotoxic effect in female Wistar rats.