Toxicological evaluation of therapeutic and supra-therapeutic doses of Cellgevity® on reproductive function and biochemical indices in Wistar rats

Abstract

BackgroundThe misconception about dietary supplements being safe has led many into the in-patient wards. Cellgevity® (CGV) is a Max International premiere antioxidant supplement formula used by a large population. This study evaluated the effects of therapeutic and supra-therapeutic doses of CGV on reproductive function and biochemical indices in Wistar rats.MethodsSeventy-two Wistar rats weighing 130 ± 15.8 g were grouped into two categories (male or female) of six rats per group. Control group received distilled water (10 ml/kg). Others received therapeutic (14.3 mg/kg or 28.6 mg/kg) and supra-therapeutic CGV doses (1000, 2000 or 3000 mg/kg) body weight per oral respectively.ResultsAfter 60 days, supra-therapeutic doses of CGV reduced sperm motility (p < 0.05) by 31.8%, 31.3% and 34.5% respectively and increased (p < 0.05) abnormality in sperms by 200%, 241% and 141.3% respectively. CGV altered male (luteinizing, follicle stimulating hormones and testosterone) and female reproductive hormones (luteinizing, follicle stimulating hormones estrogen and progesterone) respectively. Therapeutic doses of CGV elevated reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase, although, this was exceeded by supra-therapeutic doses and more in females than male rats. Supra-therapeutic dose (3000 mg/kg CGV) decreased body weight in both male and female rats by 50% (F(1.5, 30) = 1.2, p = 0.041) and 62.7% (F(2.1, 30) = 0.38, p = 0.038) respectively in treated rats. Supratherapeutic (3000 mg/kg) dose of CGV increased (p < 0.05) creatinine level by 99.1% while serum total protein was reduced (p < 0.05) by 60.1% (2000 mg/kg) and 57.2% (3000 mg/kg) respectively in male animals. In Female rats, supra-therapeutic doses of CGV elevated creatinine levels by 72.2% (1000 mg/kg), 60.2% (2000 mg/kg) and 124.8% (3000 mg/kg) respectively and 3000 mg/kg produces elevated serum low density lipoprotein by 34.6% in treated rats. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, alkaline phosphatase were unaltered by CGV dosing. Histology shows seminiferous tubules with reduced spermatogenic cells. Also, female rat kidney revealed acute tubular necrosis at highest dose used in this study.ConclusionOverall, these data suggest that pro-oxidant potential of the supra-therapeutic CGV doses is evident. Hence, it is necessary that its administration be done with caution using appropriate doses.

Subacute and subchronic oral toxicity assessments of Acridocarpus smeathmannii (DC.) Guill. & Perr. root in Wistar rats

“…Safety testing is needed in order to popularize acceptance, standardize and/or regulate the market of herbal medicines currently being offered [9]. However, in recent times, scientists have inquire into scrutinizing the quantity and quality of the safety and efficacy potential acclaimed in folklore medicine in order to provide data to meet the criteria needed to support its use worldwide [[28], [29], [30], [31]].…”

“…Toxicity testing can be used to obtain information on the biologic activity of a chemical substance and gain insight into its mechanisms of action [30,32,31]. More so, toxicological evaluation studies are important aspects of drug development and for the extension of their therapeutic potentials [[8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31]]. Thus, it helps pinpoint information on the adverse reactions which are potentially relevant to the substance being evaluated [33].…”

Screening of preservatives and evaluation of sterilized cellulose nanofibers for toxicity studies

“…Endotoxin was detected in the obtained CNF samples. Based on the measured endotoxin concentrations, the endotoxin exposure levels in the case of inhalation or ingestion of 2.0 mg/mL CNF dispersions administered intratracheally 21,22 or orally 23,24 in toxicity studies (1.0‐1.5 mL/kg and 10 mL/kg, respectively) were 2623‐3934 and 26 232 EU/kg, respectively. According to a prior study, 25 endotoxin concentration of 1 µg/kg or higher originally derived from E. coli is required for inflammation in the lungs following intratracheal administration in mice, and this amount corresponds to endotoxin concentrations in the EU/kg range of hundreds of thousands 26 .…”

Lipid Peroxidation and the Redox Effects of Polyherbal

“…Recent studies focused on the pharmacology and feasibility of herbal compounds as a potential strategy for alternative therapy. Now the discovery of novel therapeutic agents with multi-targeted potential is desirable [13,20,28]. Protective properties of phytochemicals combat numerous diseases and their vast acceptance and demand in human beings encouraged scientists to assess their effective activities [9,11].…”

“…There are several setbacks to draw from the recent criticisms of PH applications [14,25,30]. This is the reason for the suggestions on standardization developments [15,24,28,31]. The latter may help gain insight into their mechanisms as well as potentials for toxicity.…”