Toxicological assessment of beta-lapachone on organs from pregnant and non-pregnant rats

Phytother Res. 2009 Sep;23(9):1276-80. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2646.

Abstract

Naphthoquinones have been studied extensively due to their activity as topoisomerase inhibitors. These enzymes are critical to DNA replication in cells. beta-Lapachone (beta-lap) is an o-naphthoquinone chemically obtained from lapachol. This work results in a toxicological evaluation of beta-lap in Wistar rats observing the following parameters: teratology, histology, hematology and serum biochemistry. The data demonstrate teratogenic action at the doses used, as well as hematological alterations in the total leukocytes, monocytes and segmented. The biochemical data demonstrated an increase in gamma glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase levels. Histological study showed significant alterations in the spleen, however, the liver and kidney did not present significant alterations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Leukocytes / pathology
  • Male
  • Naphthoquinones / toxicity*
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Teratogens / toxicity*
  • Toxicity Tests, Chronic
  • Transaminases / blood
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / blood

Substances

  • Naphthoquinones
  • Teratogens
  • beta-lapachone
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase
  • Transaminases
  • Alkaline Phosphatase