BIOCHEMICAL, HEMATOLOGICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE FOOD-SAFETY OF THE LEAF EXTRACT OF PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM IN RATS

Abstract

The fresh shoots of Papaver somniferum L. (opium poppy) are used as a flavouring by the local population in the regions where it is grown. The aim of this research was to determine the food-safety of the extract obtained from the fresh leaves of Papaver somniferum L. plant.

The extract of the leaves of the opium poppy plant, were dissolved in 1 ml of drinking water and administered to healthy male rats, in 4 different doses (400, 800, 1600 and 2000 mg/kg body weight/day) on a single day to evaluate the acute and each day for 30 days to evaluate the subacute effect. Blood was withdrawn for hematological and biochemical analysis. Lung, heart, liver and kidney tissues were taken for pathological examination.

It was observed that the ALT enzyme decreased at the dose of 800, 1600 and 2000 mg/kg body weight/day; furthermore, AST, GGT and CK-MB enzymes decreased at the doses of 1600 and 2000 mg/kg body weight/day in the subacute phase (p<0.05).

It can be stated that the water extract obtained from the leaves of Papaver somniferum L. has no negative effect on the biochemical, hematological and pathological parameters in the given doses, furthermore the extract may have a protective effect on the liver tissue.