Composition and chronic toxicity of dry methanol-aqueous extract of wild-growing Satureja montana

Introduction: Satureja montana is a wild growing medicinal plant, part of the Lamiaceae family. This herb is well known as a source of phenolic compounds, which can vary in a broad range depending on different factors and exert many pharmacological activities. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the composition and chronic toxicity of dry extract of Satureja montana. Material and methods: The composition was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatographic system with diode-array detector. To establish the chronic toxicity of dry extract of Satureja montana we used 40 eight-week-old male Wistar rats, treated orally with saline, olive oil (control groups), Satureja montana at a dose of 500 mg/kg bw, carvacrol – 500 mg/kg bw, and rosmarinic acid – 15 mg/kg bw. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment and blood samples and organs for histological examination were obtained. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using IBM SPSS 19.0. Results: Rosmarinic acid and small quantities of carvacrol were found in the dry extract of Satureja montana. Full blood count and the biochemical parameters ASAT, ALAT, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and ionized Ca were in the reference values for 17+ weeks old male Wistar rats. The histological samples showed no signs of organ toxicity. Conclusions: The main ingredient in the dry extract of Satureja montana is rosmarinic acid. The extract is not toxic after 90-days oral administration.