Acute Toxicity of Quercetin From Onion Skin in Mice

Background: Quercetin is the most abundant flavonoid molecule, is widely distributed in the plant kingdom, and has a wide range of uses. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the LD۵۰ of quercetin from onion (Allium cepa) skin (QOS) and its effect on the livers and kidneys of mice.  Methods: This study consisted of two phases. In phase one, ۹ mice BALB/c were divided into three groups of three mice each. The mice in each group received QOS at ۱۰ mg/kg, ۱۰۰ mg/kg, and ۱۰۰۰ mg/kg, respectively, and were monitored for ۲۴ h for any signs of toxicity or mortality. In phase two, three mice were divided into three groups of one mouse each. Each mouse received QOS at ۱۶۰۰ mg/kg, ۲۹۰۰ mg/kg, and ۵۰۰۰ mg/kg. The mice were observed for ۲۴ h for any signs of toxicity or mortality.  Results: A significant increase was observed in serum albumin, total protein, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in mice that received ۱۰ mg/kg, ۱۰۰ mg/kg, and ۱۰۰۰ mg/kg QOS. A significant decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholesterol, creatinine, urea, and the electrolyte was noticed in mice that received QOS at ۱۰ mg/kg, ۱۰۰ mg/kg, and ۱۰۰۰ mg/kg when compared with the control group. The livers of mice that received ۱۶۰۰ mg/kg and ۲۹۰۰ mg/kg QOS showed hemorrhage and enlarged sinusoids along with a distortion of the renal tubule and aggregation of lymphocytes within the kidneys.  Conclusion: The LD۵۰ of QOS was ۳۸۰۷ mg/kg in mice. QOS above ۱۰۰۰ mg/kg led to a distortion of the hepatocytes and renal tubule with an increase in serum AST, ALT, and creatinine, suggesting that QOS could be toxic at ۱۰۰۰ mg/kg and above.

کلیدواژه ها:

Acute toxicity ، LD۵۰ ، Mortality ، Onion skin ، Quercetin ، Liver ، Kidney