Toxicidade de Angelica archangelica l. no fígado de rato

Abstract

Angelica archangelica L. is a phytotherapic easily found in drugstores and in the commerce used by the population of the countryside and cities as antiflatulent, diuretic, diaphoretic, emenagogue, abortion, etc. The objective of the present work was to study the hepatoxicity of the plant, administered in excessive doses in the form of powder, hydroalcoholic tincture and infusion, since in the appropriate doses the same pe considered by many as non-toxic and with hepatoprotective activity. For this, male Wistar rats weighing 130g on average were used. For 10 days, the rats received the powder (10 mg / ml of water) and the tincture (1 ml) of angelica root and rhizome via the gastric tube or in the drinking fountain as an infusion (10 g / l of water). After sacrifice by 3% Hypnol, fragments of the liver were collected, which were fixed in 10% formalin for 24 hours. After dehydration, diaphanization and inclusion in paraffin, the pieces were sectioned with 6 micrometers thick and the sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The hepatic structure was analyzed under a light microscope and evaluated karyompetrically and stereologically. Upon histopathological examination, the liver of the rat treated with angelica showed areas of large, clear hepatocytes, probably filled with glycogen, dilated and congested vessels, disorganized, fibrous space and with proliferation of bile ducts, as well as foci of chronic inflammation. Cariometrically it was demonstrated that the nuclei of the hepatocytes were smaller and more oval in shape. Stereologically, it was shown that hepatocytes were more voluminous and less numerous.