TOXICOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF ARALIA-MANDSHURICA (ARALIACEAE) ROOT EXTRACT AFTER SUBCHRONIC ADMINISTRATION IN RATS - A BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL STUDY

The toxic subchronic effect of an extract of Aralia mandshurica on rat s of both sexes was studied over a period of 90 days (0.2, 1.7, 3.4 g/ kg p.o.). The toxic effects of Aralia mandshurica on the following enz ymes were evaluated: alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP), total proteins an d serum urea. Blood samples were obtained by means of retroorbital pun cture with a microcapillary tube on days 15, 30, 45, 75 and 90 of the administration of Aralia mandshurica. The body weight was registered e very week, and at the end of the study a necropsy was performed and th e liver, lungs, kidneys, heart, spleen, gonads and adrenal glands were weighed. Liver, gonads and kidneys were examined histologically. Ther e was an increase in the levels of AST and SAP enzymes with a dose of 3.4 g/kg in both sexes on day 90 of administration, but no changes wer e observed in urea and serum protein. A significant decrease of the bo dy weight was recorded in both sexes with a dose of 3.4 g/kg. Moreover , the animals treated with doses of 1.7 and 3.4 g/kg showed a diminuti on of faecal consistence. An increase of the liver weight was produced with all the doses of Aralia mandshurica, but neither macroscopic nor histological alterations were observed, as in the rest of the organs. Possible liver damage associated with this enzyme is discussed.