TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF TEUCRIUM-STOCKSIANUM AFTER ACUTE AND CHRONICADMINISTRATION IN RATS

Because of the widespread use of T. stocksianum (Boiss) in herbal medi cine and reports of the toxicity of Teucrium chamaedrys to man, the ef fects of acute (2 and 4 g kg(-1), single dose) and chronic (4% in lieu of drinking water for 48 days) administration of an aqueous extract o f T. stocksianum has been studied in rats. After acute administration no change was found in reduced liver glutathione content, plasma total protein concentration or the enzyme activities of aminotransferase or gamma glutamyl transferase. After chronic administration, no change w as noticed in the plasma concentrations of total protein, total biliru bin, creatinine, urea, glucose, triglycerides, calcium or phosphorus o r the enzyme activities of aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine kinase, gamma glutamyl transferase or lactate dehydrogenas e. There was no change in food or water intake or output of urine or f aeces; the body weight of the treated animals was, however, slightly r educed. No change was observed in the weight of vital body tissues. Hi stological examination revealed occasional hepatic 'apoptosis' and cer ebral neuronal loss in the cortex and hippocampus in treated animals; focal loss of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum was particularly notice d. The results did not indicate a major hepatotoxic effect of acute or chronic administration of T. stocksianum, unlike other Teucrium spp. We report a neurotoxic effect, however, which warrants monitoring of n eurological function in people taking this plant.