Oxidative stress and toxicity effect of Echium amoenum on mice brain

Echium amoenum ( Boraginaceae ) is one of the important medicinal herbs in traditional medicine. It was known for its various effects such as demulcent, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic, especially for common cold, anxiolytic, and sedative. This plant contains small quantities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic, and chronic consumption may have adverse effects on the body’s organs. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Echium amoenum plant in neurotoxicity on the brain of mice. In this study, 40 mice were chosen and divided into four groups. Group (1) as control group (without injection), group (2) received 12.5 mg/kg, group (3) received 25 mg/kg, and group (4) received 50 mg/kg body weight plant. Boraginaceae was injected into mice for a month by intraperitoneal injection (i.p). Then, the mice were decapitated and brains were collected to evaluate oxidative stress. The level of lipid oxidation was significant in all groups except among high dose in comparison with control groups, and low with the intermediate dose. Changes in ion-reducing antioxidant capacity assay (CUPRAC) were not significant. The level of total glutathione (GH) increased in high dose. The histopathological study showed high dose leads to the lesion in the brain tissue. Echium amoenum may trigger toxicity in high doses; the authors recommended to avoid over-consumption .