Comparative study with dry crude extracts of Ananas comosus L. Merril using LC50 and erythrocyte osmotic fragility as toxicity parameters

Ananas comosus, popularly known as pineapple, has well-defined plant anatomy and numerous pharmacologically active phytochemicals. Some of these are responsible for the species antimicrobial potential, that has been widely studied given the bacterial resistance to the currently used antibiotics. Taking this into account, it is defined that the main characteristic of a drug is the absence of toxic effects, thus, there is a need to seek data regarding the toxicity of A. comosus, collaborating for its possible use as a drug. Comparing hydroalcoholic extracts from the crown leaves, skin and pulp of the infructescence, it was possible to determine that the three tested extracts are non-toxic, being the one with the lowest toxicity to Artemia salina Leach (leaves extract with LC50 equal to 994,656 µg/mL) and to lamb's blood (pulp extract withpercentage of haemolysis equal to 0.83%). Studies concerning principles and methodologies similar to those used here have found comparable results stating the low toxicity of the plant. These data corroborate with the advancement of researches that seek the use of pineapple as a phytotherapic and confirm the adequate presence of the species in the Brazilian Unified Health System.