Effects of Chronic Treatment with Ethanolic Extract of<i>Teucrium polium</i>in Mice

Abstract

ABSTRACT The acute and chronic toxicity of Teucrium polium L. (Labiatae), a common folklore treatment for hyperglycemic conditions and various other ailments, was evaluated in mice using both an acute (24 h) and chronic (3 months) toxicity test using mice. Animals given a single oral dose of T. polium extract in the acute test had decreased loco-motor activity, compared with controls. Animals treated with T. polium extract in the chronic test did not gain body weight, developed a significant increase in the weight of the liver and kidneys and a significant reduction in weight of testes of the male mice, compared with the control group. In animals treated with T. polium, histopathological and biochemical studies revealed congestion and necrotic changes in the liver, a significant increase in ALT and AST levels in liver tissues, and a reduction in blood glucose levels, compared with the control. A significant increase in sperm abnormalities was also noticed in the male animals chronically treated with T. polium, compared with the control animals.