Phytochemical characterization, acute toxicity, and hemolytic activity of Cotula cinerea (Del.) aqueous and ethanolic extracts

Abstract

The toxicity of a plant extract is important in the design of medicinal plant-based drugs. A test of the hemolytic effect of a substance on red blood cells (RBC) is an essential starting point. The objective of this study is the phytochemical characterization of the aqueous extract (CCA) and the ethanolic extract (CCE) from the aerial parts of Cotula cinerea (C. cinerea), by LC-TOF-MS, to evaluate their acute toxicity at two different doses (1000 and 2000 mg/kg), and to assess their hemolytic activity against RBC of rat. For the acute toxicity assessment, statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in body weight between treated and control groups over a 14-day period. Liver and kidney weights also showed no significant variation between treated and control groups. Biochemical parameters such as ASAT, ALAT, urea, and creatinine showed similar levels in all groups, with slight variations observed for some parameters. In the hemolytic test, CCE concentrations showed a significantly higher percentage of hemolysis, whereas CCA had no hemolytic effect on RBC of rat. These data suggest the non-toxic effect of CCA, making it suitable for the preparation of medications involved in the treatment of various diseases. However, the CCE exhibits a concentration-dependent hemolytic effect. This underscores the dual nature of plant secondary metabolites. Further research is needed to understand the complex mechanisms behind these effects and to harness the therapeutic potential of plant extracts while mitigating undesirable hemolytic reactions.