Subchronic toxicological evaluation of brea gum (Parkinsonia preacox) as a food additive in BALB/c mice

Drug Chem Toxicol. 2009;32(4):307-11. doi: 10.1080/01480540902976903.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / toxicity*
  • Argentina
  • Carcinogens / toxicity
  • Diet
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / adverse effects*
  • Fabaceae / chemistry
  • Female
  • Food Additives / administration & dosage
  • Food Additives / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal
  • Mutagenicity Tests
  • Organ Size
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Polysaccharides / administration & dosage
  • Polysaccharides / toxicity*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Carcinogens
  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Food Additives
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polysaccharides