Authors : Afaf I. Abuelgasim , Azza O. Fatih Elrahman and M. Galal
Abstract: The toxic effect of the methanolic and water extracts of Ambrosia maritima (A.maritima) on rats treated for three weeks with different doses was determined. The methaolic extract was injected intramuscularly and the water extract was given orally. The results revealed that a single intramuscular dose of 2000 mg kg 1 Body weight (Bwt) of the methanolic extract was fatal, but a daily doses of 500 and 250 mg kg 1 (Bwt) caused inappetence, deceased activity, lameness and even paralysis, although body weights were not affected. However diarrhoea was the most prominent sign in rats receiving the water extract at the doses 1000 and 500 mg kg 1 (Bwt) while at the dose 250 mg kg 1 (Bwt) no clinical signs were observed. Lesions in both extracts consisted of generalized congestion, fatty change of the liver, degeneration of renal tubules and pancreatic hyperplasia.
Afaf I. Abuelgasim , Azza O. Fatih Elrahman and M. Galal , 2007. Toxicopathological Effects of Ambrosia maritima L. (Compositae) Extracts in Rats. Veterinary Research, 1: 71-75.