Evaluation of Toxicological Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Shells from the Pecan Nut Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch and the Possible Association with Its Inorganic Constituents and Major Phenolic Compounds.
Luiz Carlos S PortoJuliana da SilvaKaren SousaMariana L AmbrozioAline de AlmeidaCarla Eliete I Dos SantosJohnny F DiasMariangela C AllgayerMarcela S Dos SantosPatrícia PereiraAlexandre de Barros Falcão FerrazJaqueline N PicadaPublished in: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (2016)
Background. Industrial processing of the pecan nut Carya illinoinensis K. Koch generated a large amount of shells, which have been used to prepare nutritional supplements and medicinal products; however, the safe use of shells requires assessment. This study evaluated the toxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects of pecan shell aqueous extract (PSAE) and the possible contribution of phenolic compounds, ellagic and gallic acids, and inorganic elements present in PSAE to induce toxicity. Results. Levels of inorganic elements like K, P, Cl, and Rb quantified using the Particle-Induced X-Ray Emission method were higher in PSAE than in pecan shells, while Mg and Mn levels were higher in shells. Mice showed neurobehavioral toxicity when given high PSAE doses (200-2,000 mg kg(-1)). The LD50 was 1,166.3 mg kg(-1). However, PSAE (50-200 mg·kg(-1)) and the phenolic compounds (10-100 mg·kg(-1)) did not induce DNA damage or mutagenicity evaluated using the comet assay and micronucleus test. Treatment with ellagic acid (10-100 mg·kg(-1)) decreased triglyceride and glucose levels, while treatments with PSAE and gallic acid had no effect. Conclusion. Pecan shell toxicity might be associated with high concentrations of inorganic elements such as Mn, Al, Cu, and Fe acting on the central nervous system, besides phytochemical components, suggesting that the definition of the safe dose should take into account the consumption of micronutrients.
Keyphrases
- oxidative stress
- dna damage
- diabetic rats
- water soluble
- metal organic framework
- high resolution
- type diabetes
- perovskite solar cells
- computed tomography
- wastewater treatment
- room temperature
- oxide nanoparticles
- weight loss
- endothelial cells
- drug induced
- aqueous solution
- combination therapy
- insulin resistance
- replacement therapy