Toxicology International (Formerly Indian Journal of Toxicology)

Enegide Chinedu ¹, David Arome ², Fidelis Solomon Ameh ³, Dabum Luka Jacob ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NG
2 Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Physiology and Pharmacology Technology), University of Jos, Plateau State, NG
3 Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Physiology and Pharmacology Technology), University of Jos, Plateau State, IN
4 Department of Human Physiology, University of Jos, Plateau State, NG

Abstract

The safety of pharmacological/chemical agents and food additives has become the main and longest-standing toxicology issue of public interest. Exposure of the public to pharmacological/chemical agents without proper knowledge about their toxicity has ended up in several notable tragedies. Although toxicity profiling of many chemical/pharmacological agents has increased, there are still not enough information on the toxicity of some of the currently used agents. The aim of this paper is to unveil a simple step-wise method by which toxicity test from acute to the chronic level can be carried out in animal models. The procedure involves the usage of two different strains of the test animals at all levels of the test. The method also adopts continuity from the previous level at the next level of assessment. This ensures that same conditions are maintained at all levels of assessment, and therefore, guaranty consistency, accuracy, and reproducibility of the results gotten from the assessment. The method addresses some issues (such as cost and time) which have hindered toxicity assessment of some agents. It can be effectively adopted in developing countries due to its cost-effective nature. It can also serve as a guide for obtaining appreciable toxicity information of traditional medicines.

Keywords

Acute Toxicity, Animal Models, Chronic Toxicity, Method.

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Enegide Chinedu , David Arome , Fidelis Solomon Ameh

Abstract

Background: The intake of pharmacological substances by man has solely increased and this may be in the form of food, medicines and beverages, other industrial and household products. These substances are capable of eliciting chronic and acute toxicity, which may be mild or severe, depending upon their nature. Acute toxicity is defined as the unwanted effect(s) that occurs either immediately or at a short time interval after a single or multiple administration of such substance within 24 hours. The principal aim of this paper is to introduce a new method for testing toxicity, which if adopted, should produce more accurate and reproducible results using few animals. Materials and Methods: The proposed method is divided into three stages, with the outcome of each stage determining whether to terminate testing of proceed to the next stage. A confirmatory (confidence) test is used to validate the final test result. The method shows enormous advantages, which include the use of few animals, exploration of a wide range of doses, it is simple and inexpensive. Conclusion: Furthermore, accurate and reproducible result can be gotten through this method. We therefore recommend that the method should be considered for endorsement for the testing of acute toxicity by the regulatory bodies.

Keywords

Acute toxicity, lethal dose50, new method

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