Potential Toxicity Research Articles

Unraveling the toxicity mechanisms of nanoplastics with various surface modifications on Skeletonema costatum: Cellular and molecular perspectives

Nanoplastics are ubiquitous in marine environments, exhibiting high bioavailability and potential toxicity to marine organisms. However, the impacts of nanoplastics with various surface modifications on marine microalgae remain largely unexplored. This study explored the toxicity mechanisms of two nanoplastic types-polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-with distinct surface modifications on Skeletonema costatum at cellular and molecular levels. Results showed that nanoplastics significantly impaired the growth of microalgae, particularly PS-NH2, which caused the most pronounced growth inhibition, reaching 56.99 % after a 96-h exposure at 50 mg/L. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that nanoplastics disrupted the expression of genes predominantly involved in ribosome biogenesis, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, amino acid metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism pathways. The integrated biochemical and transcriptomic evidence highlighted that PS-NH2 nanoplastics had the most adverse impact on microalgae, affecting fundamental pathways such as ribosome biogenesis, energy metabolism, photosynthesis, and oxidative stress. Our findings underscore the influence of surface-modified nanoplastics on algal growth and contribute new understanding to the toxicity mechanisms of these nanoplastics in marine microalgae, offering critical information for assessing the risks of emerging pollutants.

Safety evaluation of Plukenetia volubilis seeds: a metabolomic profiling and network toxicology approach.

Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) seeds and oil have been integrated into daily diets. However, scientific reports have raised concerns regarding potential health risks associated with saponins and alkaloids in this seeds. This study employed a combination analysis using proton-NMR, GC-MS, LC-QTOF, and GNPS molecular networking to evaluate the chemical composition of these seeds. In silico toxicology analysis and in vitro cytotoxicity assays were conducted to investigate the potential toxicity effects of Sacha Inchi seeds and their contained metabolites. The results revealed that major components of these seeds are oils (linoleic, linolenic, and oleic acids) and sugars, with minor amounts of phytosterols and trigonelline, a pyridine alkaloid. GNPS analysis suggested the absence of saponins, instead, it identified trigonelline and a few other nitrogen-containing metabolites (amino acids and oligopeptides). In silico toxicology analysis indicated that this sample did not exhibit toxicity. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity screening demonstrated no cytotoxic effects against NIH-3T3 cells, even at 400 μg mL-1. In general, these findings collectively indicated the absence of saponins, the presence of phytosterols and trigonellin (a pyridine alkaloid), and a low safety risk related to saponin and alkaloid content in the Sacha Inchi seeds.

Extravasation with methylthioninium chloride

Introduction Methylthioninium chloride is used for multiple treatment purposes and is sometimes administered through peripheral intravenous lines. We highlight the potential adverse effects of methylthioninium chloride extravasation during continuous peripheral intravenous administration. Case summary A 38-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with multifactorial hypovolemic and septic shock. She was treated with a continuous peripheral infusion of intravenous methylthioninium chloride for shock refractory to multiple vasopressors. Images One day after administration commenced, the patient developed blue staining of the left upper arm due to extravasation of methylthioninium chloride proximal to the site of infusion. Further images show its later spread. Conclusion While reported cases of methylthioninium chloride extravasation are rare, it is our preference that methylthioninium chloride should be administered through a central line in cases of continuous infusion due to the risk of potential toxicity from extravasation.

In Utero Exposure to Di-n-butyl Phthalate Causes Modulation in Neurotransmitter System of Wistar Rats: A Multigenerational Assessment.

Neuroendocrine regulation is disrupted by di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) when exposure occurs during the critical periods of fetal development, which can lead to neurological disorders. To evaluate the toxic potential of DBP, it is necessary to conduct teratological studies, which could determine impacts on the development of the fetus. The present study was designed to understand the sequelae of neuroendocrine regulation in one-month-old pups when rats were exposed to DBP (F1-F3) in utero and during lactation. The rats received DBP (500mg/kg BW/day) dissolved in olive oil through oral gavage from gestation day 6 to postnatal day 30, while the control group received the olive oil (vehicle) during the same timeline. Following the exposure, thyroid profile and estradiol, which were measured at GD-19, exhibited a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in dams (F0-F2). The exposure resulted in developmental outcomes, including underdeveloped fetuses, and a notable number of resorptions in experimental rats. The one-month-old pups were assessed for serum thyroid profile and testosterone and neurotransmitters in discrete brain regions, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus for up to three generations. The levels of dopamine and cortisol showed a significant increase (P < 0.05), but serotonin levels decreased when examined in distinct brain regions of the experimental group as compared to the control. DBP, which is considered an endocrine disruptor, had the most impact on the third generation in this study, leading to a significant decrease in testosterone levels. In summary, in utero exposure to DBP impaired the neuroendocrine system and had an antiandrogenic effect in the three successive generations.

Melatonin production improves Senegalese sole sperm motility at night, but fails as a supplement during cryopreservation

Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant present in fish seminal plasma. This study aimed to understand melatonin's endogenous and exogenous effects on first-generation Senegalese sole sperm quality for sperm management applications. In the first experiment, samples were collected at mid-light (ML) and mid-dark (MD) daytimes, to evaluate the effects on sperm motility. In a second experiment, using confocal microscopy and melatonin-FITC, spermatozoa permeability to melatonin was evaluated and, after showing that it enters the nucleus and mitochondria by passive diffusion, exogenous melatonin toxicity and antioxidant potential during a cryopreservation assay were performed. The toxicity assay tested different melatonin concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mM) and exposure times (3, 5, 15 and 30 min), and sperm motility parameters were measured (TM, PM, VCL, VSL, LIN) using CASA system. The best conditions (0.1 and 10 mM) were selected for the cryopreservation assay, and a set of post-thaw sperm quality analyses were performed (motility, viability, reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and DNA fragmentation). The motility analyzed at ML and MD showed significant differences in all parameters, mainly on velocities (VCL, VSL, VAP), that were significantly higher at MD. Supplemented melatonin did not influence spermatozoa motility, MDA content or DNA fragmentation, although a lower percentage of viable cells was obtained on the 10 mM treatment. Altogether, Senegalese sole spermatozoa motility was enhanced at night, putatively by endogenous melatonin through direct or indirect mechanisms, whereas supplemented melatonin did not confer extra protection during cryopreservation.

Efficient adsorptive removal of methyl green using Fe3O4/sawdust/MWCNT: Explaining sigmoidal behavior

The 4R concept (reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose) in water management necessitates innovative adsorption techniques that utilize sustainable and natural materials. This study investigates the use of natural sawdust embedded in magnetic iron oxide to treat wastewater. The performance of the newly synthesized Fe3O4/sawdust adsorbent was also compared to the native Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/MWCNT. Methyl Green (MG) was used as a model pollutant due to its wide use and potential toxicity. The new adsorbents demonstrated a high removal efficiency that exceeds 97 % under ambient conditions. The study investigates the effect of pH on adsorption, revealing a significant shift in removal efficiency as pH increases, with an optimal pH of around 7. The pH dependence is explained based on the point-of-zero-charge of the Fe3O4 adsorbent and the structure of the dye. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG°) of adsorption were determined through a temperature study. The adsorption equilibrium was found to be endothermic, therefore preferring elevated temperatures. Because the adsorption data of the study exhibited S-shaped-like curves, sigmoidal models were used to describe the adsorption isotherms. This provided new insights into the competitive adsorption mechanisms acting on the heterogeneous Fe3O4/sawdust surfaces. The kinetics study indicates rapid and efficient adsorption with pseudo-second-order reaction. The half-life of the reaction was as low as 4.8 min. The findings suggest a rapid, highly efficient and sustainable method to remove organic pollutants from wastewater.

Healthcare contact days for people with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Ontario: A population-based study

BackgroundSurvival is limited with advanced NSCLC, and frequent healthcare visits can become all-consuming. We investigated patterns of contact days—days with any in-person healthcare contact as a measure of potential time toxicity—in a population-based sample. MethodsWe created a population-based, retrospective cohort with health administrative data from Ontario, Canada, of adults with stage IV NSCLC in 2014-2017, dying 2014-2019. The primary outcome was contact days assessed from diagnosis to death. We stratified analyses by receipt, type and lines of systemic therapy administered. We plotted and fitted with cubic splines the weekly percentage of contact days to obtain trajectories over the disease course. ResultsWe identified 5,785 stage IV NSCLC patients. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) survival was 108 days (49-426), and median percentage of contact days was 33.3%. Patients receiving systemic treatment had longer median survival (261 [152-420] vs. 66 [34-130] days) and lower median percentage of contact days (22.2% vs. 40.9%). Overall and for subgroups (systemic therapy vs. not; type and lines of therapy), trajectories followed a U-shaped distribution, with highest rates immediately following diagnosis and prior to death. The difference between the maximal peak and trough was greater in patients who received systemic therapy (peak 34.8% vs. trough 15.9%, ""deeper U"") vs. not (39.5% vs. 27.6%, ""shallower U""). ConclusionStage IV NSCLC patients spent a significant proportion of days alive with healthcare contact. These data serve as a call to recognize patient time burdens, improve care efficiency, and better support patients during periods of high burden.

Unraveling the Hemolytic Toxicity Tapestry of Peptides using Chemical Space Complex Networks.

Peptides have emerged as promising therapeutic agents. However, their potential is hindered by hemotoxicity. Understanding the hemotoxicity of peptides is crucial for developing safe and effective peptide-based therapeutics. Here, we employed chemical space complex networks (CSNs) to unravel the hemotoxicity tapestry of peptides. CSNs are powerful tools for visualizing and analyzing the relationships between peptides based on their physicochemical properties and structural features. We constructed CSNs from the StarPepDB database, encompassing 2004 hemolytic peptides, and explored the impact of seven different (dis)similarity measures on network topology and cluster (communities) distribution. Our findings revealed that each CSN extracts orthogonal information, enhancing the motif discovery and enrichment process. We identified 12 consensus hemolytic motifs, whose amino acid composition unveiled a high abundance of lysine, leucine, and valine residues, while aspartic acid, methionine, histidine, asparagine and glutamine were depleted. Additionally, physicochemical properties were used to characterize clusters/communities of hemolytic peptides. To predict hemolytic activity directly from peptide sequences, we constructed multi-query similarity searching models (MQSSMs), which outperformed cutting-edge machine learning (ML)-based models, demonstrating robust hemotoxicity prediction capabilities. Overall, this novel in silico approach uses complex network science as its central strategy to develop robust model classifiers, to characterize the chemical space and to discover new motifs from hemolytic peptides. This will help to enhance the design/selection of peptides with potential therapeutic activity and low toxicity.

Profiling metabolites and exploring metabolism of parabens in human urine using non-target screening and molecular networking

Parabens are widely used as preservatives in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics due to their excellent antimicrobial activities, cost-effectiveness, and stability. Previous studies have demonstrated their harmful potential and ubiquity in the environment and human tissues. This study revealed profiles of parabens and their metabolites in urine samples from a general population of different ages in China using non-target screening. Metabolism of parabens in human bodies was further explored through the identified metabolites in combination of molecular networking. A total of 34 paraben compounds were screened in the urine samples. In addition to 3 identified confidence level 1 (CL1) parent parabens, 3 CL2 compounds were also identified, namely 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and ethylparaben sulfate. Furthermore, 6 CL3 compounds were tentatively identified, five of which were sulfonated and sulfated metabolites of parabens. The remaining 22 were CL4 features without certain chemical structures. Hazardousness assessment suggested toxic potential of the identified metabolites. Distribution of the parabens and metabolites in the urines showed age-dependent differences. Sulfonation and sulfation were potentially significant metabolic pathways of the parabens in human bodies. This study provides a new insight into understanding metabolism of parabens in human bodies and potential risks of human exposure to parabens.

Rationally designed catalytic nanoplatform for enhanced chemoimmunotherapy via deploying endogenous plus exogenous copper and remodeling tumor microenvironment

Chemodynamic therapy represents a novel tumor therapeutic modality via triggering catalytic reactions in tumors to yield highly toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nevertheless, low efficiency catalytic ability, potential systemic toxicity and inefficient tumor targeting, have hindered the efficacy of chemodynamic therapy. Herein, a rationally designed catalytic nanoplatform, composed of folate acid conjugated liposomes loaded with copper peroxide (CP) and chloroquine (CQ; a clinical drug) (denoted as CC@LPF), could power maximal tumor cytotoxicity, mechanistically via maneuvering endogenous and exogenous copper for a highly efficient catalytic reaction. Despite a massive autophagosome accumulation elicited by CP-powered autophagic initiation and CQ-induced autolysosomal blockage, the robust ROS, but not aberrant autophagy, underlies the synergistic tumor inhibition. Otherwise, this combined mode also elicits an early onset, above all, long-term high-level existence of immunogenic cell death markers, associated with ROS and aberrant autophagy -triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress. Besides, CC@LPF, with tumor targeting capability and selective tumor cytotoxicity, could elicit intratumor dendritic cells (mainly attributed to CQ) and tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells, upon combining with PD-L1 therapeutic antibody, further induce significant anti-tumor effect. Collectively, the rationally designed nanoplatform, CC@LPF, could enhance tumor chemoimmunotherapy via deploying endogenous plus exogenous copper and remodeling tumor microenvironment.Graphical abstract

A Review on Dermal Wound Repair and Regeneration Using Antimicrobial-Loaded Microspheres Incorporated into Bovine Collagen Scaffold

In this paper, the developed microsphere-incorporated collagen scaffold presents a promising solution for delivering drugs over wound surfaces in a uniform and sustained manner. The biomaterials utilized in this system are of natural origin, minimizing potential toxicity from core materials, and collagen and gelatin exhibit active wound-healing properties. The collagen scaffold used for the delivery device offers several advantages, including minimizing dressing frequency, facilitating easier examination, and providing added aesthetic value. Furthermore, the protein-based biomaterial scaffold acts as a template for the extracellular matrix in the skin, enhancing the maturation of wounds and enabling the transition to the accelerated production of mature and aligned collagen fibers. The controlled release of antimicrobial drugs through denatured collagens and gelatin microspheres, as well as the efficient healing observed in in vivo studies, demonstrate the potential of this system for effective wound care. Overall, the incorporation of ciprofloxacin-loaded microspheres in porous collagen scaffold offers sustained releases of ciprofloxacin in infected environments, as supported by histological examination showing well-formed epidermis and dermis in the connective tissue of the skin. The system’s ability to heal full-thickness wounds within a significantly shorter time frame compared to antibiotic-incorporated collagen sponges further emphasizes its efficacy in wound healing.

Review on medical waste management in China and Nigeria.

Medical waste management is an essential component of healthcare delivery globally due to the toxic and contagious potentials on human health and the environment. There are resource limitations in developing nations when it comes to the appropriate handling of medical wastes. In this article, we examined previous studies to evaluate the practices of medical waste management in China and Nigeria. Contextually, this work addresses medical waste practices in the context of waste generation, segregation, collection, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal. In addition to reviewing additional important aspects of medical waste management, the current study addresses potentials and challenges for efficient medical waste management in both countries. For this study; Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, Agencies, Conferences, National and International Conventions were searched from 1998 up to 2023 for all studies reporting medical waste management in China and Nigeria. To further guarantee that only resource materials with similar research interests in medical waste management were selected, a double screening process was employed. The challenges of medical waste management in both countries are limited financing, inadequate training, ineffective legislation, ineffective medical waste transport system and insufficient treatment technology. Furthermore, this study offers practical recommendations by identifying the particular areas that require attention and development, such as training of healthcare workers, adequate financing of medical waste management projects, including research and development on efficient toxic emission reducing technologies, and partnership with other relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure enforcement of national and local legislation.

Prediction of chemical-induced acute toxicity using in vitro assay data and chemical structure

Exposure to various chemicals found in the environment and in the context of drug development can cause acute toxicity. To provide an alternative to in vivo animal toxicity testing, the U.S. Tox21 consortium developed in vitro assays to test a library of approximately 10,000 drugs and environmental chemicals (Tox21 10 K compound library) in a quantitative high-throughput screening (qHTS) approach. In this study, we assessed the utility of Tox21 assay data in comparison with chemical structure information in predicting acute systemic toxicity. Prediction models were developed using four machine learning algorithms, namely Random Forest, Naïve Bayes, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, and Support Vector Machine, and their performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). The chemical structure-based models as well as the Tox21 assay data demonstrated good predictive power for acute toxicity, achieving AUC-ROC values ranging from 0.83 to 0.93 and 0.73 to 0.79, respectively. We applied the models to predict the acute toxicity potential of the compounds in the Tox21 10 K compound library, most of which were found to be non-toxic. In addition, we identified the Tox21 assays that contributed the most to acute toxicity prediction, such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and p53 induction. Chemical features including organophosphates and carbamates were also identified to be significantly associated with acute toxicity. In conclusion, this study underscores the utility of in vitro assay data in predicting acute toxicity.

The impact of irrigation with harvested rainwater containing asbestos cement matrix on the germination characteristics of Solanum lycopersicum

AbstractThe study aims to investigate how the transfer of matrix materials from eroded asbestos cement products induces stress responses in plants. The paper evaluates the exposure and risk factors of plants, water, and soil to asbestos cement materials. Additionally, the experimental results provide empirical evidence for plant stress responses based on physiological and germination parameters. Contamination of irrigation water with asbestos cement raises environmental concerns due to its potential toxicity to plants and soil quality. Asbestos in irrigation water can lead to toxic stress for plants, affecting germination processes and growth. The paper analyzes the effects of preset doses of irrigation water containing asbestos cement matrix on the germination process and physiological parameters of Solanum lycopersicum in a controlled experiment setting. This research proposes methodological developments that could be valuable for environmental plant protection professionals.

Aspects of complexity in quality and safety assessment of peptide therapeutics and peptide-related impurities. A regulatory perspective

In recent years, a number of therapeutic peptides have been authorized in the EU market, and several others are in the clinical development phase or under assessment for full dossier or generic applications. Quality and safety guidelines specific to peptides are limited, and some aspects have to be considered. In particular, concerns relate to the analytical investigation for impurities and the toxicological assessment of these substances. The guidelines and the compendial pharmacopoeias provide certain references but that may be questionable if interpreted according to whether therapeutic peptides are considered chemical or biological entities, large or small. The characterization of peptide-related impurities cannot follow the small molecule approach but should consider aspects closely linked to the complex mechanisms of action that these large molecules can exert in the human body. Although direct genotoxic mechanisms cannot be excluded, hazardous interactions on biological systems cannot be ruled out, as in the case of natural peptide toxins and their specific interactions with cellular or membrane targets. From a regulatory perspective, only after specific risk identification and characterization should an equally specific safety threshold in relation to potential toxicity be defined.

Carbon nanomaterials as electrochemical sensors for theophylline: a review.

Theophylline (TP) is a methylxanthine derivative, which serves as a valuable compound in treating respiratory disorders and acts as a bronchodilator agent. However, TP has a limited therapeutic range (20-100 μmol L-1), demanding precise monitoring to prevent potential drug toxicity even with slight level fluctuations during treatment. Thus, to overcome this limitation, electrochemical methods have been extensively used due to their efficacy in achieving sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy. In the context of electrochemical sensors, nanocarbon-based materials have gained widespread recognition for their extensive applications. Therefore, this review aims to explore the latest advancements in carbon-based electrodes particularly used for the precise determination of TP through electrochemical methods. The results are expected to provide insights into the profound significance of the methods in enhancing the accuracy and sensitivity for the detection of TP.

Assessing Carbon Capture and Carbonation in Recycled Concrete Aggregates: A Holistic Life Cycle Assessment Perspective with Simulation at Industrial Scale

This work explores a life cycle assessment (LCA) concerning carbon capture and carbonation of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA), addressing the growing challenges posed by increased carbon emissions in power generation and ecological concerns tied to construction waste. We propose an integrated solution involving the capture of low-concentration carbon dioxide (CO2) from natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plants through aqueous ammonia absorption and sequestration by mineralization of RCA. The cradle-to-gate LCA focuses on an industrial-scale scenario for capturing 200 kilotonnes of CO2 annually, with functional unit per tonne of carbonated RCA output. The findings reveal a net positive carbon abatement of 21.42 kg CO2 eq., with heat production and electricity consumption being the major contributors to global warming potential (GWP). Within the spectrum of environmental impact categories under study, Marine Aquatic Ecotoxicity Potential (MAETP) exhibits a significant impact, primarily influenced by sulfur production. Human Toxicity Potential (HTP) follows as the second-worst contributor, with 96.80% of its impact attributed to heat and sulfur production. Subsequently, Acidification Potential (AP) follows, arising from sulfur and sulfuric acid production. Sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulation introduce a ±20% standard deviation to electricity and thermal energy consumption. Scenario analysis demonstrates a net carbon-positive abatement potential of 286.66 kg CO2 eq. per tonne of CO2 input. Employing carbon mineralization for CO2 capture not only reduces emissions but also repurposes waste materials, providing a comprehensive and sustainable solution for effective CO2 management, contributing to reduced sand mining, and offering cost advantages through the production of carbonated RCA.

Comparison of Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Food Waste and Livestock Manure at Various Mixing Ratios under Mesophilic and Thermophilic Temperatures

In this study, the optimum mixing ratio of food waste (FW) and livestock manure (LM) was investigated to improve the methane yield efficiency and prohibit the inhibition factors (organic loading rate and NH4+) from inhibiting the anaerobic co-digestion of FW and LM under mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. The research involved the following: (I) the analysis of the characteristics of FW and LM, (II) the evaluation of the potential and toxicity of the anaerobic digestion of I have confirmed that there is no problem. FW and LM using the biochemical methane potential (BMP) and anaerobic toxicity assay (ATA) tests, (III) the evaluation of the anaerobic co-digestion of FW and LM using the BMP test, and (IV) the evaluation of the optimum mixing ratio using mathematical modeling. The characteristics of FW and LM were analyzed to evaluate the theoretical methane potential and inhibition factor. The BMP test was carried out to evaluate the concentration of the biodegradable organic matter, biogas production rate, and methane yield. The ATA test was carried out to evaluate the impact of the inhibition concentration. Ultimately, mathematical models, such as a first-order reaction and a modified Gompertz model, were implemented to evaluate the optimum mixing ratio for the anaerobic co-digestion of FW and LM. FW had a higher concentration of degradable organic matter than LM. The initial operational parameters of the anaerobic digestion were determined to be appropriate at an organic matter concentration of less than 2.5 g/L and a TN concentration of 2,000 mg/L. In conclusion, as a result of evaluation through mathematical models, it was determined that anaerobic microorganisms were more sensitive to inhibitory factors under the thermophilic condition than under the mesophilic condition, and the optimum mixing ratio of FW to LM was 5:1 (vol:vol) based on kinetic results (k: 0.080; Bu: 0.23 L CH4/g VSadded; P: 100.84 mL; Rm: 10.23 mL/day; λ: 1.44 days).

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of hypoglycemic potential and acute toxicity of microencapsulated turmeric instant powder

BackgroundCurcuma longa L. (turmeric), traditionally used to treat various ailments including diabetes, has demonstrated beneficial health effects. However, its potential in food formulations requires further investigation. PurposeThis study examined the hypoglycemic effects of an instant powder containing microencapsulated turmeric oleoresin both in vitro and in vivo, alongside an acute toxicity assessment in Holtzman rats. MethodsThis study encompassed both in vitro and in vivo evaluations. In vitro, the α-glucosidase (a digestive enzyme) inhibition assay was employed to determine the powder's effectiveness. In vivo assessments included: (1) evaluation of the hypoglycemic effect in mice; (2) conducted safety testing following international guidelines, administering a 2000 mg/kg dose to rats with subsequent monitoring of biochemical parameters; and (3) histological examination of liver, kidney, and spleen tissues for potential harmful effects. ResultsThe instant powder with turmeric oleoresin microencapsulation demonstrated significant α-glucosidase inhibition in vitro and hypoglycemic effects in vivo. The acute toxicity test at 2000 mg/kg showed no mortality but revealed significant alterations in erythrocyte parameters and hemoglobin percentage. Histological examinations of liver, kidney, and spleen tissues did not differ from those of the control group, though pancreatic tissue was not evaluated in this study. ConclusionAccording to this study, the microencapsulated turmeric oleoresin instant powder exhibited antidiabetic effects without signs of overt toxicity at doses up to 2000 mg/kg in rats.

Grade 3 cytolysis in a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer consuming a mushroom powder-based alternative therapy.

The use of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) in patients with cancer is increasing. CAM is associated with potential toxicity and drug interactions, particularly with chemotherapy. Here, we report a case of cytolysis and hepatic cholestasis in a patient who was self-medicated with a mushroom powder-based alternative therapy containing Agaricus blazei Murril (ABM) during cancer treatment. A 43-year-old woman with metastatic colorectal cancer and hepatic metastases was admitted to our hospital for intravenous chemotherapy. Markers of hepatic grade 3 cytolysis and cholestasis were identified during the pretreatment consultation. The baseline results were within normal limits. The chemotherapy was immediately canceled, and further tests were performed. After the investigation, the patient reported taking three mushroom powder-based capsules per day since November 2023. The dietary supplement contained ABM and Hericium erinaceus (HE) powder. After Pharmaceutical analysis, treatment with the supplement was discontinued, and the patient has not resumed. The changes in liver function were also favorable. In our case, given the improvement in liver function after CAM discontinuation, hepatic cytolysis appeared to be linked to ABM consumption despite the patient's liver metastases. Pharmaceutical analysis of CAM is essential to ensure the safety and optimization of cancer treatments. Patients should also communicate their CAMs to healthcare professionals and be aware of the consequences of consuming these dietary supplements. Finally, collaboration between pharmaceutical teams and oncologists is essential for optimal management of cancer patients.