Evaluation of hemorrheologic parameters and biliary secretion in Ligaria cuneifolia (Argentine mistletoe) extract-treated rats

Abstract

Ligaria cuneifolia (R. et P.) Tiegh. (Loranthaceae) (Argentine mistletoe) is usually used in local folk medicine "to produce an increase of blood fluidity and a decrease of plasma cholesterol level". The present work was carried out to evaluate the effect of L. cuneifolia treatment on blood fluidity and biliary secretion. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 5): control animals were injected intraperitoneally with water and treated rats received 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 5.5 mg/100 g body weight of aqueous extract of L. cuneifolia each 24 h during 3 days. The relative viscosity of blood [(ηr)45/Hct] was measured and the rigidity index (RI) in the diluted red cell suspensions was determined. L. cuneifolia treatment produces a significant increase in (ηr)45/Hct and in RI at doses of 2.5, 3.5 and 5.5 mg/100 g body weight. Also, a decrease of plasma cholesterol level was observed, which showed a negative association with RI increase (rs: -0.65; p < 0.05). Increases in bile flow and biliary output of bile acids and cholesterol were observed in treated rats (2.5, 3.5 and 5.5 mg/100 g body weight). Ligaria cuneifolia-treatment produces a decrease in the plasma cholesterol level increasing red blood rigidity index and producing an increase in blood viscosity. The observed increase of bile acid and cholesterol biliary output causes a decrease of plasma cholesterol level.