Some aspects of the preclinical study of the safety of the dry extract of Potentilla alba L

Relevance. Recently for the treatment of thyroid diseases it has been suggested to use herbal remedies, which are able to influence the functional activity and structure of the thyroid gland. One of such perspective objects is considered to be Potentilla alba L., Rosacea family, which is an effective regulator of thyroid hormones level and is used in a complex treatment of the mentioned pathology of endocrine system. The purpose. To estimate general toxic effect of the dry extract of Potentilla alba L. in conditions of chronic experience to determine a possibility of development on its base of new medicines recommended to treat thyroid diseases. Materials and methods. A chronic experiment was carried out on male and female Wistar rats. The studied extract was administered intragastrically for 90 days in doses of 25, 125 and 375 mg/kg. The control animals were given water. Integral health indexes of experimental animals were registered, peripheral blood samples were taken to determine hematological and biochemical indexes, functional state of cardiovascular system (ECG study), central nervous system by orientation reactions in "open field" test, excretory func tion of kidneys against 3% water load were studied. At the end of the experiment pathohistological examination of the internal organs of the rats was carried out. Results. Long-term administrations of the dry extract of Potentilla alba L. into stomach of clinically healthy rats of both sexes in 2,5, 12,5-37,5 times therapeutic doses caused hypothyroidism and hypolipidemic action. The dry extract in all tested doses showed no toxic effect on blood, cardiovascular and nervous system of rats. Prolonged administration of studied extract at the maximum tested dose (375 mg/kg) resulted in a moderate damaging effect on the liver and kidneys of rats of both sexes as well as the testes. A threshold dose of 25 mg/kg was established. Conclusions. Results of the investigation were grounds for development of new thyrotropic drugs of systemic action (0,050 g capsules, 0,150 g tablets) based on the studied extract and to recommend them for further investigation.