In vivo anti-psoriasis, anti-inflammatory activities and oral toxicity studies of aqueous extract from seeds of Ammi visnaga L.

Abstract

Ammi visnaga L (A.V.) is used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of kidney stones, diabetes and vitiligo. An in vivo anti-psoriasis, anti-inflammatory activities and oral toxicity studies of aqueous extract from seeds of Ammi visnaga L. was investigated. In the acute toxicity, the extract was administered orally in a single dose to rats (0- 2000-5000 mg/kg) and in the sub-acute toxicity daily for 28 days (0-300-600-1000 mg/kg/day). The symptoms of toxicity and mortality have been recorded daily and during 14 days of recovery with an examination of liver, kidney, hematologic, biochemical and histological analysis at the end of treatment. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by induction of oedema and the anti-psoriasis by induction of a psoriasiform-like skin phenotype by UV-B radiations. No mortality was observed after single gavages by a dose up to 5000 mg/kg and no signs of toxicity noted. Clinical and biochemical examination during 28 days of gavages at all doses showed no significant difference compared to control group, while a significant reduction in MCV (mean corpuscular volume) and P-LCR (platelet large cell ratio) (p <0.05), PDW (platelet distribution width) and MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) (p <0.01) was observed and histopathological examinations showed slight inflammation in the liver and kidneys for the higher dose. Percentage of inhibition of the oedema was near the positive control 50% for all doses tested. Treatment with A.V. extract had decreased the thickness of the skin induced by UV-B irradiation.  In conclusion, the LD50 was estimated greater than 5000 mg/kg; therefore A.V. can be classified as non-toxic but if used in the long term can induce a slight toxicity dose dependant with high anti-psoriasis and anti-inflammatory activities.