Effect of Chelidonium majus on Metabolic Abnormalities Induced by HAART in Mice

Aims: Extracts of Chelidonium majus, extensively used in traditional systems of medicine, have been tested for their possible anti-tumor, hepato-protective and anti-genotoxic effects, to investigate their potential in cancer therapy. Although the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has changed the natural history of HIV infection, several adverse events may limit its efficacy. Antiretroviral drugs are associated with increased risk of severe hepatotoxicity. These complications increase morbidity and mortality significantly. Current study evaluated the effect of Chelidonium majus on metabolic alterations induced in mice subjected to HAART.

Methodology: Four-weeks old male Swiss Webster mice, weighing approximately 28-30 g, provided by the Central Animal Laboratory of the State University of Maringá, were used in the experiments. The drug in the form of mother tincture was prepared with the juice of the root of C. majus, mixed in equal parts of grain alcohol (P.A.) and comprised 12 animals per experimental group: (I) animals treated with HAART diluted in 1.2 mL water gavage/day, (II) animals treated with HAART diluted in 1.2 mL water gavage/day + C. majus diluted 1x1012 in water 1.0 mL, daily added once to the drinking water (1:10 mL) available ad libitum, (III) non-treated animals (control group) received 1.2 mL water by gavage/day. The experimental groups were treated for 15 days. Overall clinical evaluation was performed and serum cholesterol, triglycerides, hepatic enzymes (AST and ALT) were assessed by specific methods. Results were analyzed with GraphPad Prism by Student´s t test.

Results: Results demonstrate lower weight gain, 30% less (p=0.004) in the group treated with HAART, whereas the group treated with HAART and C. majus had the same weight gain of control group. The evaluation of metabolic parameters showed a significant difference on levels of plasma triglycerides in animals treated with HAART + C. majus (19.6% less). ALT parameter was 23.7% lower in patients treated with C. majus when compared to group treated only with HAART. AST decreased by 65.2% in the group treated with C. majus, with the same levels of control.

Conclusion: C. majus, diluted 1x1012, improved metabolic changes induced by HAART in mice.