Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Indole Alkaloids from Leaves of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. in Mice and Rats.

ABSTRACT: Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. (Apocynaceae) is an evergreen tree that has been used to treat lung diseases. In this study, the toxicity profile of indole alkaloids from leaves of A. scholaris was investigated. In acute toxicity tests, mice were administered total alkaloids (TA) and five indole alkaloids. In a chronic toxicity test, rats were continuously administered TA (50, 100, and 300 mg/kg bw) for 13 weeks, followed by a 4-week recovery. A single administration of TA affected the behavior of mice, and at 12.8 g/kg bw, prone position, shortness of breath, wheezing, and convulsion were observed. The half-lethal dose (LD₅₀) in mice was 5.48 g/kg bw, almost 2740 times the clinical dose in humans. Among the five indole alkaloids, the maximum tolerance dose in mice ranged from 0.

SUBMITTER: Zhao YL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7176796 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature