VOLATILE OIL OF CROTON ZEHNTNERI PER ORAL SUB-ACUTE TREATMENT OFFERS SMALL TOXICITY: PERSPECTIVE OF THERAPEUTIC USE

Croton zehntneri (Euphorbiaceae) or “canela de cunhã” is used in the Northeast Brazil to treatseveral diseases. Leaves and aerial parts of C. zehntneri are rich in an essential oil (EOCz) of highpotential therapeutic. This study aimed to investigate EOCz systemic toxicity after per oraltreatment in rats. EOCz characterization (gas chromatography and mass spectrometry) showed85.7% anethole and 4.8% estragole. Male Wistar rats (116-149 g) were treated with EOCz (250mg/kg p.o.) during 10 weeks and were evaluated for the following parameters: survival; food andwater intake; body mass; absolute/relative organs weight; hemogram; plasma biochemical dosage;organs morphology. ANOVA and Student's t-test or Student-Newman-Keuls (p≤ 0.05). EOCz didnot alter animal water, food consumption or the relative/absolute weight of most organs, butanimals gained less weight. EOCz did not alter function biomarkers of pancreas, kidney, heart orliver, but increased plasma GAMA-GT (liver biomarker) and decreased uric acid (kidneybiomarker). Although EOCz had caused morphological alterations in some organs, it did not inducearchitectural changes in these organs. In conclusion, the sub-acute per oral treatment with EOCz nolonger than ten weeks in rats is safe at doses below 250 mg/kg.