LOPES, J. R. G.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2429543427112192; LOPES, José Radmácyo Gomes.
Abstract:
Ipomoea asarifolia is a tremorgenic plant whose active principle is not yet
determined and the main clinical signs observed in the poisoning this plant in ruminants
are intention tremors and incoordination. The aim of this study was to see if I. asarifolia is
tremorgenic for mice and its effect on balance, coordination and muscle strength and
demonstrate if the tremorgenic toxin is excreted by milk. In the first study, three groups of
adult male mice of the Swiss strain received ration containing 0, 20% and 30% of the
leaves of I. asarifolia for 30 days. On day 0 and every five days were measured feed and
water intake and the weight of the animals and performed tests on the elevated bar, wire
suspension and rota rod. Changes in balance and motor coordination observed in the
elevated bar and the rota rod suggest that the plant affects the central nervous system. The
intoxication was evident by the significant reduction in water consumption and weight of
the animals and the mortality in experimental groups. However, muscle tremors were not
observed, which does not justified the use of adult male mice to study the toxic compound
of I. asarifolia. To demonstrate whether tremorgenic toxin of the I. asarifolia is excreted
by milk, three groups of Swiss female mice received, immediately after given birth until
weaning, ration containing 0, 20% and 30% of dry I. asarifolia. All the offsprings of the
females that received I. asarifolia showed tremors 2-4 days after birth. The offsprings of
the females that received 20% I. asariflia recovered 4-7 days after weaning. The offsprings
of the females that received 30% of the plant in the ration died with tremors before
weaning or until two days after weaning. It is concluded that the tremorgenic compound of
I. asarifolia is eliminated by milk and that lactating mice may be used for the
determination of the toxic compound of this plant.
