Assessing the in vivo effects of Aloysia citrodora extract: data from K14-HPV16 transgenic mice

Abstract

Introduction Aloysia citrodora is used in folk medicine in the preparation of infusions due to its antispasmodic, digestive, sedative, and antipyretic properties. It also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.The present study evaluated the in vivo efficacy of aqueous extract (AE) of Aloysia citrodora in K14-HPV16 transgenic mice which HPV16 early genomic region and hence develop multiple-step epithelial neoplasia. Materials and Methods Thirty wildtype (WT) or K14-HPV16 female mice were divided into six groups (G) (n=5): G1 (WT, control), G2 (HPV, control), G3 (WT, 0.013g/mL), G4 (HPV, 0.006g/mL), G5 (HPV, 0.008g/mL), G6 (HPV, 0.013g/mL). AE was prepared and provided in drinking water every 48 h; the experiment lasted 28 days. Body weight, food and water consumption and humane endpoints were recorded weekly. At necropsy, organs were collected and processed for histological analysis. Results The mean body weight of all animals increased throughout the experiment (p<0.05).Food and water intake were slightly higher in the HPV groups.The humane endpoints score was different between G2 and G4, and G4 and G5 (p<0.05). The skin lesions in K14-HPV16 mice comprised hyperplasia, dysplasia, benign tumours (papillomas) and malignant tumours (carcinomas),with the worst lesions registered on the ear pavilion in G2,followed by G5 (p<0.05).The higher dose group (G6) showed fewer malignant tumours (p<0.05). Conclusions The results indicate that AE is safe for the studied animals, showing a dose-dependent trend towards lesion improvement. As AE is a natural product, the authors believe that further studies including higher doses are now warranted.