Toxicological assessment of Cannabis sativa extract employed against Rhipicephalus linnaei: hepatic and renal alterations in Mus musculus

Abstract Rhipicephalus linnaei is a hematophagous ectoparasite of veterinary and public health importance, commonly controlled using synthetic acaricides. Cannabis sativa extracts have recently been investigated as alternative agents for tick control due to their biological activity against different developmental stages of this ectoparasite. The present study evaluated histopathological alterations in the liver and kidneys of Mus musculus exposed to C. sativa extract at concentrations of 2.5, 7.0, 10.0, 14.5, and 20.0 mg/mL. Histological analyses revealed concentration-dependent hepatic and renal alterations. In the liver, the main findings included tissue disorganization, hepatocellular hypertrophy, loss of cellular boundaries, cell death, and an increased number of Kupffer cells. These alterations were more pronounced at higher extract concentrations. In the kidneys, edema and histomorphological changes were observed in the epithelial cells of the convoluted tubules. Structural alterations were also detected in the Malpighian corpuscles, affecting both the glomeruli and Bowman's capsule, particularly in animals exposed to higher concentrations. The results demonstrate that exposure to C. sativa extract induces histopathological changes in the liver and kidneys of M. musculus , indicating potential hepatic and renal toxicity. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating the safety of plant-derived acaricidal compounds before their application in tick-control strategies.