Pulmonary Toxicity and Mild Cardiac Alterations Induced by Datura stramonium Extract in Swiss Albino Mice
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Datura stramonium (jimsonweed) contains tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine) known for their anticholinergic and systemic toxicities. While hepatic, renal, and reproductive effects are well documented, its cardiopulmonary toxicity remains underexplored. Methods: Male Swiss albino rodents were administered aqueous leaf extract of D. stramonium via acute oral doses (12.5–200 mg/kg) and sub-chronic weekly doses (0.36, 0.7, 4 mg/kg) for 28–40 days. Groups included control, low, medium, high dose, and recovery cohorts. Body weight, relative heart and lung weights, and histopathology (H&E) of heart and lung tissues were assessed. Results: No mortality or significant changes in body or organ weights were observed, however, the high-dose groups showed an upward trends in lung weights. Cardiac histology was largely preserved, with mild alterations, such as focal vacuolation or myofibrillar degeneration, observed at higher doses. Pulmonary tissues exhibited dose-dependent lesions, including alveolar congestion, septal thickening, bronchiolar epithelial detachment, hemorrhage, and inflammatory infiltration. Recovery groups showed partial histological improvement. Conclusion: D. stramonium leaf extract induces dose-related pulmonary toxicity with minimal structural cardiotoxicity under the studied conditions. These findings highlight the lungs as particularly susceptible targets and reinforce the plant's multi-organ toxicological profile. Functional studies and public health awareness are warranted.
DOI: 10.53796/hnsj610/8
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4414718693