Subacute toxicity study in Wistar rats fed with StemEnhanceTM, an extract from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae

Abstract

correspondence: Levent Dirikolu Department of comparative Biosciences, college of Veterinary Medicine, University of illinois at Urbanachampaign, 3830 VMBSB, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, iL 61802, USA Tel +1 217 244 4439 Fax +1 217 244 1652 email dirikolu@illinois.edu Abstract: This study evaluated the safety (absence of toxicity) of StemEnhanceTM, an extract of the blue-green alga Aphanizomenon flos-aquae that is used as a health supplement. Groups of 12 rats of each sex were given either 5% glycerin in water (control) or 600 mg/kg of StemEnhance prepared in 5% glycerin in water for 2 weeks by oral gavage followed by 2 weeks of observation. The administration of StemEnhance had no effect on behavior, food and water intake, growth, or survival. Values at the end of dosing and observation periods did not reveal differences between treated and control groups for hematology and clinical chemistry. There were no significant differences in the gross and histopathology of the reproductive organs in either males or females. Sperm motility parameters were similar for control and treated males. Our results show that StemEnhance at doses ∼20 times the maximum label-recommended daily dose did not produce adverse effects in Wistar rats after subacute treatment.