In vivo toxicological evaluation of crude sulfated polysaccharide from the green seaweed Caulerpa cupressoides var. lycopodium in Swiss mice

Seaweeds are widely consumed as vegetables and medicinal products. The green seaweed Caulerpa cupressoides var. lycopodium sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) demonstrated anticoagulant (in vitro) and anti- and prothrombotic (in vivo) effects. However, their toxicity in vivo has not been fully determined. This study evaluated their toxicity in vivo in male Swiss mice. Animals (20-26 g, six group(-1)) received crude SP (9 mg kg(-1), i.p.) or 0.9% saline (0.1 mL 10 g(-1), i.p.) for 14 consecutive days, and then analyzed the wet weight of animal's body organs(-1) and biochemical/hematological parameters. Histopathological evaluation was also performed related to crude SP treatment. The results showed that crude SP did not cause toxicity and mortality. Regarding the biochemical analyses, crude SP did not lead to hepatic or renal dysfunctions, but affected (p < 0.05) the platelet count (1530.75 +/- 1.05 x 10(3) mu L-1) compared with the control (969.75 +/- 0.51 x 10(3) mu L-1) according to the hematological evaluation. Although histological changes in the liver and kidney have occurred, results suggested reversibility. The increased spleen size (p < 0.05) also had no toxicological significance based on histopathological analysis. Therefore, crude SP from C. cupressoides could represent safe pharmacological tool in future studies on immunomodulation and thrombosis in vivo.