Acute and subacute toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract from Wedelia paludosa (Acmela brasiliensis) (Asteraceae) in mice.

PURPOSE The present study was carried out to evaluated acute and subacute toxicity of a hydroalcoholic extract from aerial parts of Wedelia paludosa (Asteraceae). METHODS Toxicity of W. paludosa was evaluated in Swiss mice after ingestions of the extract during one day (acute model) and during 15 days (subacute model). RESULTS The results showed that the LD50 of the extract is higher than 4000 mg/kg and the subacute treatment did not shows any change in corporal weight and hematological parameters. However, a change in liver weight but not in hepatic enzymes was observed. This suggests that the liver function is not altered by Wedelia paludosa in this study. Some changes in the creatinine content were observed, but could not be related with the extract dose. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the plant seems to be destituted of toxic effects in mice.