Toxicological evaluations of long-term consumption of Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill fruits in male and female adult rats.

Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill is a common plant in the Brazilian savanna. This plant contains an alkaloid with stereospecific configuration to the synthesis of steroid hormones. Because the plant may be consumed long-term, the present study was undertaken to determine the possible toxic effects of S. lycocarpum fruit ingestion (3% added to the diet) on male (60 days of administration) and female (37 days) adult rats. Few significant differences in body weight and consumption of food and water, no significant differences in male and female weight gain or estrous cycle were detected. Female treated rats showed a significant reduction in uterus and liver weights; however, no significant differences were observed in other organ (adrenal, liver, seminal vesicle, testicle and ovary) weights in either sex. Additionally blood enzymes and proteins evaluated were not affected by treatment with 3% S. lycocarpum added to the diet. The present data, however, show sex-related differences in S. lycocarpum toxicity. Thus, other studies have to be conducted to better investigate female toxicity and other toxic effects of higher levels of exposure to this plant.