EVALUATION OF THE UTERUS AND HEART OF FEMALE MUS MUSCULUS EXPOSED TO CANNABIS SATIVA EXTRACT

<jats:p>The increasing resistance of ticks to synthetic acaricides, together with concerns regarding their toxicological and environmental effects, has encouraged the search for plant-derived compounds with potential use in ectoparasite control. In this context, Cannabis sativa has emerged as a species of biotechnological interest due to its wide diversity of bioactive metabolites, including cannabinoids and terpenes. However, in addition to efficacy, the possible effects of plant extracts on non-target organisms must also be evaluated. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of spray exposure to C. sativa extract (2.5 mg/mL) on the histology and histochemistry of the uterus and heart of female Mus musculus mice. Fifteen Swiss females were distributed into three experimental groups: distilled water control, 30% ethanol (v/v) control, and treatment with C. sativa extract diluted in 30% ethanol. Exposures were carried out on three consecutive days and, after 14 days, the animals were euthanized for organ collection. Samples were processed for light microscopy after staining with hematoxylin-eosin and bromophenol blue. In the uterus, the treated group showed mild cytoplasmic vacuolization in glandular cells, more evident stromal vascular congestion, and vacuolated spaces between connective tissue cells, without evidence of hemorrhage, necrosis, or extensive structural disorganization. In the heart, a focal increase in interfibrillar spaces and slight irregularity in myocardial fiber alignment were observed, with preservation of the overall tissue architecture. Bromophenol blue revealed a slight reduction in protein staining intensity in the treated group. Overall, exposure to C.sativa extract (2.5 mg/mL) was associated with mild morphological and histochemical alterations, without evidence of severe structural damage in the analyzed organs.</jats:p>