Abstract
Gelidium elegans extract (GEE) is derived from a red alga from the Asia–Pacific region, which has antioxidant, anti-adipogenic, and anti-hyperglycemic effects. However, detailed studies of the toxicology of GEE have not been performed. We evaluated the single oral dose toxicity of GEE in male and female Sprague-Dawley (CD) rats. GEE did not cause deaths or have toxic effects at dosages of 5000 mg/kg/day, although compound-colored stools and diarrhea were observed in both sexes, which lasted <2 days. Therefore, the LD50 of GEE is likely to be >5000 mg/kg. We next evaluated the repeated oral dose toxicity of GEE in CD rats over 14 days and 13 weeks. GEE did not induce any significant toxicological changes in either sex at 2000 mg/kg/day. Repeated oral dose toxicity studies showed no adverse effects, in terms of clinical signs, mortality, body mass, food consumption, ophthalmic examination, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, necropsy, organ masses, or histopathology, at dosages of 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg/day. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for GEE is thus likely to be >2000 mg/kg/day, and no pathology was identified in potential target organs. Therefore, this study indicates that repeated oral dosing with GEE is safe in CD rats.
Highlights
Seaweeds have become important functional components in the food industry [1]
There were no significant differences in the body mass of the Gelidium elegans extract (GEE)-treated groups compared with the vehicle control group
No abnormalities were found during necropsy, but compound-colored stools and diarrhea were observed in both males and females that were given 5000 mg/kg GEE
Summary
Seaweeds have become important functional components in the food industry [1]. Gelidium elegans (GE), known as Gelidium amansii, is a seaweed that is widely distributed around theAsia–Pacific region [2]. Seaweeds have become important functional components in the food industry [1]. Gelidium elegans (GE), known as Gelidium amansii, is a seaweed that is widely distributed around the. GE contains various bioactive polyphenols and phenolic compounds, such as hesperidin [3,4]. GE has been consumed for hundreds of years and has physiological and pharmacological effects [5]. GE is widely consumed in meals and teas or as a medicinal herb in Korean folk medicine. Given the current popularity of traditional foods, a comprehensive analysis of the associated safety issues is required
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