Edible Tagetes patula Flower and Its Flavanoid Patuletin: Pre-clinical Evidence of Selective Systemic Toxicity
International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine,
Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025),
12 February 2025
https://doi.org/10.32598/ijmtfm.v15i1.46416
Abstract
Background: Phytotherapy is a common practice around the world, including Pakistan. One such medicinal plant is Tagetes patula. Its flower is edible and used for various local illnesses, especially cancer. However, they lack the toxicological evaluation of this plant, including its active flavonoid i.e. Patuletin, which is addressed in the present investigation.
Methods: Wistar rats of either sex (150 g) were intraperitoneally treated (acute [1 day], sub-acute [7 days], and repeated dose [28 days]) with T. patula flower methanolic extract (1 and 2 g/kg) and patuletin (5, 30 and 60 mg/kg). Weight changes in rats were observed. Additionally, the hematological and biochemical (hepatic and renal function) indicators were assessed using respective analyzers. Histological examination of the liver and kidney was also performed following hematoxylin and eosin staining.
Results: Our data showed that none of the treatments caused a significant alteration in the weight of rats compared to the control. Among the various hematological parameters, the white blood cell count was significantly reduced by both extract and patuletin treatments. However, the enhanced levels of aspartate aminotransferase along with morphological changes in the liver were observed only in patuletin-exposed animals.
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the toxic potential of T. patula flower methanolic extract and its active flavonoid i.e. patuletin. It further recommends the implementation of a regulatory check over its consumption to protect fellow citizens from the harmful effects.
- Tagetes patula flower
- Patuletin
- White blood cells (WBC)
- Hepatotoxicity
How to Cite
References
Williamson EM. Drug interactions between herbal and prescription medicines. Drug safety. 2003; 26(15):1075-92.[DOI:10.2165/00002018-200326150-00002] [PMID]
Sam S. Importance and effectiveness of herbal medicines. Journal of pharmacognosy & phytochemistry. 2019; 8(2):354-7.
Russo S, Mastropasqua M, Mosetti MA, Persegani C, Paggi A. Low doses of liquorice can induce hypertension encephalopathy. American Journal of nephrology. 2000; 20(2):145-8. [DOI:10.1159/000013572] [PMID]
Theoharides TC. Sudden death of a healthy college student related to ephedrine toxicity from a ma huang-containing drink. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 1997; 17(5):437-9. [DOI:10.1097/00004714-199710000-00025] [PMID]
Lin TJ, Lu CC, Chen KW, Deng JF. Outbreak of obstructive ventilatory impairment associated with consumption of Sauropus androgynus vegetable. Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology. 1996; 34(1):1-8. [DOI:10.3109/15563659609020224] [PMID]
Ko R. Safety of ethnic & imported herbal and dietary supplements. Clinical toxicology. 2006;44(5):611-6. [DOI:10.1080/15563650600795552] [PMID]
Bent S, Goldberg H, Padula A, Avins AL. Spontaneous bleeding associated with Ginkgo biloba: A case report and systematic review of the literature. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2005; 20(7):657-61. [PMID]
Escher M, Desmeules J, Giostra E, Mentha G. Hepatitis associated with Kava, a herbal remedy for anxiety. BMJ: British Medical Journal. 2001; 322(7279):139. [DOI:10.1136/bmj.322.7279.139] [PMID]
Wilkinson JM. Effect of ginger tea on the fetal development of Sprague-Dawley rats. Reproductive Toxicology. 2000; 14(6):507-12. [DOI:10.1016/S0890-6238(00)00106-4] [PMID]
Lalani NS. Beliefs and perceptions regarding the use of herbal remedies among the users and sellers in Karachi. Pakistan Journal of Public Health. 2012; 2(1):36-9. [Link]
WHO. National policy on traditional medicine and regulation of herbal medicines: Report of a WHO global survey: Geneva: World Health Organization; 2005. [Link]
Rahman A, Choudhary M. Bioprospecting of medicinal and food plants: Pakistan. New York: UNDP; 2003. [Link]
Jabeen S, Shah MT, Khan S, Hayat MQ. Determination of major and trace elements in ten important folk therapeutic plants of Haripur basin, Pakistan. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 2010; 4(7):559-66. [Link]
Saeed M, Muhammad N, Khan H. Assessment of heavy metal content of branded Pakistani herbal products. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2011; 10(4):499-506. [DOI:10.4314/tjpr.v10i4.16]
Azeemi K. [Colour-light treatment (Hindi)]. Karachi: Al-Kitab Publications; 1999. [Link]
Kashif M, Bano S, Naqvi S, Faizi S, Lubna, Ahmed Mesaik M, et al. Cytotoxic and antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds from Tagetes patula flower. Pharmaceutical Biology. 2015; 53(5):672-81. [DOI:10.3109/13880209.2014.936471] [PMID]
Zheng J, Lu B, Xu B. An update on the health benefits promoted by edible flowers and involved mechanisms. Food Chemistry. 2021; 340:127940. [DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127940] [PMID]
Chitrakar B, Zhang M, Bhandari B. Edible flowers with the common name “marigold”: Their therapeutic values and processing. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 2019; 89:76-87. [DOI:10.1016/j.tifs.2019.05.008]
Martínez G, Mijares MR, De Sanctis JB. Effects of flavonoids and its derivatives on immune cell responses. Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery. 2019; 13(2):84-104. [DOI:10.2174/1872213X13666190426164124] [PMID]
Azhar M, Farooq AD, Haque S, Bano S, Zaheer L, Faizi S. Cytotoxic and genotoxic action of Tagetes patula flower methanol extract and patuletin using the Allium test. Turkish Journal of Biology. 2019; 43(5):326-39. [DOI:10.3906/biy-1906-7] [PMID]
Polimati H, Pragada RR, Thuan NH, Tatipamula VB. Hepatoprotective potential of bioflavonoids. Studies in Natural Products Chemistry. 2022; 72:259-85. [DOI:10.1016/B978-0-12-823944-5.00014-4]
Fitriana S, Andarini S, Sutrisno S, Nawangtantrini G, Maharani M. Hepatotoxicity oral administration of flavonoids rich extract from phaleria macrocarpha in mice. Asian Journal of Health Research. 2023; 2(2):36-41. [DOI:10.55561/ajhr.v2i2.109]
- Abstract Viewed: 325 times
- pdf Downloaded: 285 times