Studies on the Chronic Toxicity of Datura stramonium L.Extract in Beagle Dogs

Objective To investigate the chronic toxicology of Datura stramonium L.(MTL) extract in Beagle dogs. Methods 24 health Beagle dogs were randomly divided into low,middle and high dose groups,which were treated with MTL extract(40,80,160 mg·kg-1·d-1) by oral administration,respectively,once a day for 3 months.The blank control dogs were treated with carboxymethyl cellulose sodium.Four dogs in each group were killed 24 h after the last treatment,and two dogs in each group were killed 2 weeks after treatment withdrawal.The hematology and biochemical indexes and organ coefficients were detected.The systematic postmortem and organ histopathology were examined. Results Some symptoms like pupil dilation,dry mouth and emesis appeared in the high and middle dose of MTL treated dogs compared with the controls;the weight loss of dogs in the middle and high dose groups were reduced significantly;platelet count/blood platelet count(PLT),lymphoid cells(LYMPH) and creatine kinase(CK) increased significantly,granulocytes(GRAN) decreased obviously;there was no significant change in organ histopathology. Conclusion MTL extract by oral administration for consecutive 3 months has a certain chronic toxicity on the central nervous system,digestive system,blood system and heart.The safety dose of MTL extract for Beagle dogs is not above 40 mg·kg-1·d-1(crude drug 388 mg·kg-1·d-1).