Subchronic toxicity of Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae) extract and p-synephrine in mice.

Abstract

Extracts of Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae) unripe fruits have gained popularity for the treatment of obesity. Due to the wide use of C. aurantium/p-synephrine-containing products, this research was undertaken to evaluate its subchronic toxicity in mice and their actions in oxidative stress biomarkers. Groups of 9-10 mice received for 28 consecutive days a commercial C. aurantium dried extract (containing 7.5% p-synephrine) 400, 2000 or 4000 mg/kg and p-synephrine 30 or 300 mg/kg by oral gavage. There was a reduction in body weight gain of animals treated with both doses of p-synephrine. Organs relative weight, biochemical and hematological parameters were not altered in all treated mice. There was an increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in groups treated with C. aurantium 4000 mg/kg and p-synephrine 30 and 300 mg/kg. In glutathione peroxidase (GPx), there were an inhibition of the activity in C. aurantium 400 and 2000 mg/kg and p-synephrine 30 and 300 mg/kg treated animals, respectively, and was no alteration in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Thus, the results indicate a low subchronic toxicity of the tested materials in mice and a possible alteration in the oxidative metabolism. However, further tests are required to better elucidate the effects of these compounds in the antioxidant system.

• Authors: Marcelo Dutra Arbo, Gabriela Cristina Schmitt, Mariana Fagundes Limberger, Mariele Feiffer Charão, Angela Maria Moro, Gianine Lima Ribeiro, Eliane Dallegrave, Solange Cristina Garcia, Mirna Bainy Leal, Renata Pereira Limberger
• Journal: Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP (Regul Toxicol Pharmacol) Vol. 54 Issue 2 Pg. 114-7 (Jul 2009) ISSN: 1096-0295 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 19275924 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Obesity Agents
• Biomarkers
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Malondialdehyde
• Catalase
• Glutathione Peroxidase
• Superoxide Dismutase
• Glutathione
• Synephrine

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Obesity Agents (isolation & purification, toxicity)
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• Catalase (metabolism)
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Citrus (chemistry, toxicity)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (isolation & purification, toxicity)
• Glutathione (metabolism)
• Glutathione Peroxidase (metabolism)
• Male
• Malondialdehyde (metabolism)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Oxidative Stress (drug effects)
• Superoxide Dismutase (metabolism)
• Synephrine (isolation & purification, toxicity)
• Toxicity Tests, Chronic