Assessment of target organ toxicity induced by Stachys Lavandulifolia Vahl: a pathological study in female mice

Although Stachys lavandulifolia is growing in the most parts of Iran and regional countries and it has analgesic، anti-inflammatory and antianxiety effetcs as well as controls signs of dysmenorhoorea، there are limited data regarding its toxicity potentials. Acute toxicity and “No Observable Adverse Effect Level” of this medicinal herb have been recently reported by our group، but present study was conducted to find the histopathological effects of the extract in order to suggest the appropriate doses for further clinical studies on its oral pharmaceutical dosage forms. In this experimental study، 60 female mice were divided into 30 cases and 30 controls. Stachys lavandulifolia extract in doses of 7 mg/kg (mild)، 70 mg/kg (moderate) and 140 mg/kg (high) were administered in 45- day model. All histopathological changes were assessed in baseline، midpoint، and endpoint and after the recovery period and compared with control group. Other than significant weight changes in some target organs، abnormal histopathological changes were detected in liver، kidney and spleen after 45 days in a dose and time dependent manner but all abnormalities were returned to normal state after the recovery period in day 90. Stachys lavandulifolia extract can induce mild dose- dependent toxicity in liver، kidney and spleen. So، doses less than 70 mg⁄kg should be prescribed in long- term. However، this changes isn’t associated with clinical symptoms، and these mild toxic effects are normalized after the recovery period.