Determination of toxic trace elements and toxicity of extracts from different organs of Pulmonaria mollis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction. Pulmonaria mollis is a perennial rhizomatous hemicryptophytic plant, a mesophytic ephemeroid with a dicyclic development. In this regard, three types of raw materials are distinguished: rhizomes and roots – Pulmonariae rhizomata et radices, grass (reproductive shoot) – Pulmonariae herba, and leaves (vegetative) – Pulmonariae folia. Phytopreparations from different organs of Pulmonaria mollis have different effects, allowing to consider them as promising raw materials for use in phytotherapy. However, the plant may contain not only toxic elements, but also hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Aim. Determination of acute toxicity of extracts from different organs of Pulmonaria mollis in laboratory animals in vivo. Materials and methods. The organs of Pulmonaria mollis, which grows in a pine forest in the Kolyvansky district of the Novosibirsk region, were used as objects of research. The content of toxic trace elements (As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Be, Sr, Sb, Tl, and U) in the raw materials was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Acute toxicity was studied on 60 mature outbred albino mice (CD-1) and 20 Wistar rats. Results. The content of trace toxic elements in the raw materials turned out to be below acceptable standards. The maximal dosages of dry extracts of reproductive shoots, vegetative leaves and roots administered intragastrically to mice and rats did not have toxic effect on the animals during a 14-day follow-up. Conclusion. In different morphological types of medicinal raw materials of Pulmonaria mollis, alkaloids are present in trace amounts, and the content of trace toxic elements does not exceed the reference range. The absence of toxicity in the total extract from reproductive shoots, combined with the previously revealed anti-anemic activity, makes it possible to consider Pulmonariae herba raw materials as a promising source for development of preparations for the phytotherapy of anemic conditions.
Authors: D.S. Kruglov, V.V. Velichko, K.I. Ershov
Institution: Novosibirsk State Medical University
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4411461373