Toxicological and Pharmacological Studies of Picrasma crenata (Vell.) Engler (Simaroubaceae) in Mice and Rats

SUMMARY. The toxicity and the anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-hyperglycemic, hypoglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of the hydroalcoholic extract from woods (without bark) of Picrasma crenata (Vell.) Engler (Simaroubaceae) were investigated. The extract showed low toxicity in mice. Additionally, in agreement with the popular use to treat gastric ulcer and diabetes, anti-ulcer and blood glucose lowering effect were detected in rats. However, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects were not observed in these animals. RESUMEN. “Estudios Toxicologicos y Farmacologicos de Pricrasma crenata (Vell.) Engler (Simaroubaceae) en ratones y ratas”. Se investigo la toxicidad, actividad anti-inflamatoria, anti-ulcera, anti-hiperglucemiante, hipoglucemiante y anti-hiperlipidemica del extracto hidroalcoholico de tallo (sin corteza) de Picrasma crenata (Vell.) Engler (Simaroubaceae). El extracto presento baja toxicidad en ratones. Ademas, de acuerdo al uso popular de esta especie en el tratamiento de la gastritis y de la diabetes mellitus, se observo um efecto anti-ulcera e hipoglucemiante en ratas. Sin embargo, no fue observado ningun efecto anti-inflamatorio, anti-hiperglucemico ni anti-hiperlipidamico en estos animales.