Subacute toxicity of ergometrine maleate in rats

Ergot alkaloids, produced by the fungus Claviceps purpurea, are found in small amounts in foodstuffs. The human disease ergotism, caused by high intake of ergot alkaloids, is well known; however, little is known about the toxicity of these compounds. The subacute toxicity of an ergot alkaloid, ergometrine maleate, was therefore studied. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 0, 2, 10, 50 and 250 mg ergometrine maleate/kg diet for 4 wk. Plasma glucose levels were decreased in females at 50 and 250 mg/kg. Thyroxin levels were decreased at 50 (males only) and 250 mg/kg. At the high dose level, organ weights of heart, liver, ovaries and kidneys were increased. In male rats a slight dose-related increase in the incidence of enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes and, to some extent, of enlarged parathymal lymph nodes, was seen. Histopathological examination revealed evidence of increased glycogen storage in the liver of animals treated with 250 mg/kg. The no-observed-effect level in this study was 10 mg/kg.