Toxicological Studies on the Sinai Plant Urginea maritima (Scilla) in Wistar Albino Rats

Merzek, Jaklin L.; Mahmoud, Shereen M.; Abdel-Hamid, Ayman K.; Alhady, Kawther A.; Abdou, Rania H.

doi:10.21608/scvmj.2022.281483

Toxicological Studies on the Sinai Plant Urginea maritima (Scilla) in Wistar Albino Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Veterinary Medicine directorate, North Sinai

² Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

³ Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt,

10.21608/scvmj.2022.281483

Abstract

The varied toxicity of Urginea maritima (a plant that grows in north Sinai) on Wistar albino rats was investigated. Twenty-four rats weighing 100±20 gm. were divided into 4 groups, the first group, which included six male rats, and the second group, which included six female rats, were given di-methyl sulfoxide orally for 45 consecutive days and were regarded as the control groups. The third group included six male rats who received 36 mg/kg B.W (1/20 LD₅₀ from the alcoholic extract of Urginea maritima) for 45 days in succession. The fourth group was made up of six female rats who received a daily dose of 26 mg/kg B.W (1/20 LD₅₀ of the alcoholic Urginea maritima extract) for 45 successive days. Serum samples were taken for biochemical study after the end of the experiment, and sciatic nerve, heart, and brain tissues were also taken for histopathological analysis. The findings demonstrated significant changes in the exposed animals' serum levels of calcium (Ca⁺⁺), sodium (Na⁺), and potassium (K⁺) ions. While serum K⁺ levels dramatically increased, serum Ca⁺⁺ and Na⁺ levels significantly dropped. Lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) and serum creatine kinase (CK-MB) activities also significantly increased. In addition, pathological alterations in the heart, brain, and sciatic nerve were discovered when compared to control groups.

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