CLINICO-PATHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SUBACUTE TOXIC EFFECTS OF POLYSTlCHUM SQVARROSUM (30%) IN GUINEA PIGS

摘要

Polystichum squarrosum fed (30%) guinea pigs showed weakness, emaciation, reduced body weight, hyperphagia oliguria and significant (P<0 05) decreasing trend in mean body weight from 3 to 6 monthly intervals Polystichum fed guinea pigs sacrificed on 6MPF revealed significant alterations in certain clinical parameters, Haematology showed significant (P<0.01) decrease in haemoglobin packed cell volume and leucopenia Serum biochemistry revealed significant (P<0.05) decrease in alkaline phosphatase andamylase Tissue biochemistry showed enzymatic alterations in brain, kidneys and testes Brain and testes showed significant decreased level of AChE (P<0.01) Kidneys revealed significant increase of AChE (P<0.01) and SOD (P<0,05) Insignificant effect on tissue fipid peroxidation and arginase was observed. However, young fronds of P. squarmsum were found negative for ptaquiloside by HPIC method. These studies indicated that P. squarrosum is toxic to guinea pigs and there is possibility of presence 6f othertoxins in this fern than ptaquiloside.