Subchronic toxicological evaluation of brea gum (Parkinsonia preacox) as a food additive in BALB/c mice.
Brea gum is a phloematic exudate from Parkinsonia praecox, an autoctonous tree that grows in the arid areas of Argentina. In this work, we propose its potential as a food additive. However, as no toxicological safety evaluation of brea gum has yet been reported, this preliminary study was conducted to evaluate its long-term toxicity over a 120-day period in BALB/c mice fed with brea gum at various levels in the diet. The results showed that animals on diets containing up to 5% brea gum were healthy, exhibiting growth curves similar to controls for both males (P = 0.9138) and females (P = 0.9459), thereby indicating that feed intake and utilization was not affected. A histopathological examination and weight recording of liver, kidneys, and intestine did not reveal any microscopic abnormalities or adverse toxicological effect (weights respect to control: P > 0.1). Moreover, hematological parameters and enzyme activities were within the normal values previously reported for mice. Our findings suggest that feeding brea gum at levels up to 5% to BALB/c mice do not exert any toxicological effects, supporting its potential use as a food additive for human consumption.
von Müller
Axel R
AR
Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina. axelvm@gmail.com
López
Cristina B
CB
Eynard
Aldo R
AR
Guzmán
Carlos A
CA
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D001118:Argentina; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005503:Food Additives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009929:Organ Size; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*
D000975:Antioxidants; D002273:Carcinogens; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005503:Food Additives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011134:Polysaccharides