Multiorgan toxicity induced by EtOH extract of Fructus Psoraleae in Wistar rats.
BACKGROUND
The fruits of Psoralea corylifolia L. (Fructus Psoraleae, FP) has a long history and a wide range of applications in the treatment of osteoporosis and leukoderma. Although it is well known that FP could cause hepatotoxicity and reproductive toxicity, less is known about its potential toxicity on multiple organs.


PURPOSE
This study aims to determine the multiorgan toxicity of EtOH extract of FP (EEFP) and to investigate the underlying mechanisms through a systematic evaluation in Wistar rats.


STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
Wistar rats were orally administered with the EEFP at doses of 1.5, 1.0 and 0.5 g/kg for 28 days. Histopathologic and clinicopathologic analyses were performed, and the hormone levels in serum and the mRNA levels of enzymes related to the production of steroid hormones in adrenal glands were detected. The area of each band of adrenal glands and the steroid levels in the adrenal glands were also measured.


RESULTS
After the treatment, both the histopathologic and clinicopathologic examination showed that EEFP caused liver, prostate, seminal vesicle and adrenal gland damage. Among the enzymes involved in the regulation of adrenal steroid hormone production, NET, VMAT2, and CYP11B1 were upregulated, while CYP17A1 was downregulated. Among the adrenal steroid hormones, COR and NE were upregulated, while levels of DHT and serum ACRH and CRH decreased.


CONCLUSION
Our results indicated that adrenal gland, prostate, and seminal vesicles could also be the target organs of FP-induced toxicity. Abnormal enzyme and hormone production related to the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis caused by the EEFP may be the potential toxic mechanism for changes in the adrenal gland and secondary sex organs of male rats.
['Wang|Yu|Y|', 'Zhang|Hong|H|', 'Jiang|Jia-Ming|JM|', 'Zheng|Dan|D|', 'Tan|Hong-Sheng|HS|', 'Tang|Li-Ming|LM|', 'Xu|Hong-Xi|HX|']
D000284:Administration, Oral D000311:Adrenal Glands D000818:Animals D004798:Enzymes D000431:Ethanol D007887:Fabaceae D005260:Female D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System D008099:Liver D008297:Male D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System D010936:Plant Extracts D011467:Prostate D017208:Rats, Wistar D013256:Steroids D018675:Toxicity Tests
Multiorgan toxicity Adrenal gland Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) EtOH extract of Fructus Psoraleae (EEFP)