ACUTE TOXICITY EVALUATION OF TWO ARANTO SPECIMENS (KALANCHOE SPP.) IN FEMALE WISTAR RATS.

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INTRODUCTION: Aranto (Kalanchoe spp.) is widely used in folk medicine due to its potential therapeutic effects. However, there is still a lack of studies confirming its efficacy and safety. Among its compounds, bufadienolides stand out for their known toxic potential, which may pose health risks. Additionally, the morphological similarity between Kalanchoe species can lead to misidentification and poisoning.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acute toxicity (OECD 423) of two Aranto species: Kalanchoe daigremontiana (KD), considered the true Aranto, and Kalanchoe laetivirens (KL), the most common.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of both plants were prepared and orally administered (via gavage) to 90-day-old female Wistar rats. The animals were housed at the UNIPAMPA Animal Bioterium (Biopampa) under controlled conditions (21±2°C, 12-hour light/dark cycle), with free access to food and water. The KD and KL extracts (H₂O and OH) were administered in the following groups (n=3): Control (vehicle), 5 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 2000 mg/kg, and 5000 mg/kg.After treatment, the animals were observed for 14 days for toxicological and behavioral effects. At the end of this period, they were anesthetized for blood collection via cardiac puncture, followed by biochemical analyses. The protocol was approved by the UNIPAMPA Ethics Committee for Animal Use (CEUA), under registration number 019/2023.RESULTS: No significant changes were observed in behavioral parameters (crossing and rearing). Glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels also showed no significant differences. Liver markers (AST and ALT) and renal function (creatinine) remained stable, except for the 50 mg/kg group treated with KDH₂O, which showed a significant decrease in ALT levels (p<0.01).CONCLUSION: The Aranto extracts did not induce significant acute toxicity in the evaluated parameters. However, further studies assessing other toxicological markers are necessary to confirm these findings.