Phytochemical profile of Atractylis gummifera rhizome, acute toxicity to Wistar rat and rat poisoning effect in the field

This study aimed to valorize Atractylis gummifera rhizome (AGR) from a phytochemical study aspect of the aqueous and methanolic extract to determine the total phenolic, flavonoids, and tannins compounds and to evaluate the rat poison effect of the powder (AGRP), methanolic (MEAGR) and aqueous extracts against Wistar rats under laboratory and Rattus norvegicus under field conditions in Tiaret, Algeria. The methanolic and aqueous extracts gave a yield of ۹.۴% and ۲۰% respectively from AGR. The total polyphenols [mg gallic acid Eq/g dry matter (DM)], flavonoids (mg quercetin Eq /g DM), and tannins (mg catechin Eq/g DM) quantities were ۲۷.۱۴ ± ۰.۰۱, ۱۷.۷۳ ± ۰.۰۴, ۹.۷۱ ± ۰.۰۱, and ۲۰.۶۰ ± ۰.۰۱, ۴.۴۶ ± ۰.۴۶, ۱۱.۱۲ ± ۰.۰۲ in the methanolic and aqueous extract. The laboratory studies of toxicity showed that the three forms of plant rhizome have a poison effect against males and females of the Wistar rat with the highly toxic effect of AGRP. The results revealed a highly significant (< ۰.۰۱) increase in mortality with dose and time. Both LD۵۰ and LD۹۰ of the powder form were determined for males (۴۷۱, ۵۱۳ mg/kg/d) and females (۴۷۱, ۵۱۳ mg/kg/d) respectively. For the methanolic and aqueous extracts, the LD۵۰ values were ۵۷۵ and ۶۴۶ mg/kg/d for males and ۶۷۶ and ۷۰۸ mg/kg/d for females, respectively. While an LD۹۰ of ۷۷۶ mg/kg/d was calculated for MEAGR in males, no LD۹۰ values were recorded for aqueous extract in either sex. Organs of dead rats were removed and examined for gross lesions. Histopathological examination confirmed the toxicity of the plant by pathological changes observed in the kidneys, liver, lungs, and small intestine, where hemorrhage and congestion were observed in the liver, kidneys, and lungs in all the subjects, also intestinal enteritis was present. In the light of the results obtained in the field test, the AGRP has proved its effectiveness in a significant reduction of rodent’s population in comparison with the chemical rodenticides. Powder of A. gummifera rhizome may be a good alternative to chemical rodenticides.