Abstract

Senna crude herbal paste, CIRUELAX®, laxative used in America and Spain, was administered by oral gavage to mice and rats once daily in doses from 2 to 10 g/kg for 7 days. LD 50 was rated as higher than 10 g/kg. To determine subchronic peroral toxicity (SPT), rats were treated with 1, 2.7 and 6 g/kg of CIRUELAX® for 90 days. Body weight (BW) data and weights of liver, spleen, kidney, heart, gonads and lung were determined each week until 90th day. No decrease in weight gain was observed; males BW increased about 10% after 60 days. Liver and gonad relative weight in males and females, respectively, showed a slight increase at lower doses. Organs were free from discernible lesions. Microscopical examination showed no morphological changes. Rat males treated with CIRUELAX® showed blood hypokalemia. Potassium decreased about 25% after 90 days. Low doses of CIRUELAX® decreased WBC count in 19.61%. Monocytes count increased about five times after 90 days with 2.7 g/kg of CIRUELAX®. Absence of hepatocellular injury was inferred by AST and ALT activities. Soluble alkaline phosphatase (SAP) activity was not modified. CIRUELAX® higher dose equivalent to 200 times the dose used to treat human constipation induced no acute or subchronic toxic effects in rodents. © 2009 Boletín Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromáticas.