Prenatal developmental toxicity study of an alkaloid-free Ageratum conyzoides extract powder in rats by oral administration

Safety Assessment of Streptococcus salivarius UBSS-01 in Rats and Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Individuals

Streptococcus salivarius is a common, harmless, and prevalent member of the oral microbiota in humans. In the present study, the safety of S. salivarius UBSS-01 was evaluated using in silico methods and preclinical and clinical studies. In an acute toxicity study, rats were administered with 5 g/kg (500 × 109 CFU) S. salivarius UBSS-01. The changes in phenotypic behaviors and hematological, biochemical, electrolytes, and urine analyses were monitored. No toxicity was observed at 14 days post-treatment. The no observable effects limit (NOEL) of S. salivarius UBSS-01 was >5 g/kg in rats. In a 28-day repeat dose toxicity study, rats were administered S. salivarius UBSS-01 once daily at doses of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 g/kg (10, 50, and 100 billion CFU/kg, respectively) body weight. S. salivarius UBSS-01 did not influence any of the hematology parameters and clinical chemistry parameters in plasma and serum samples after 28-day repeated administration. No structural abnormality was observed in the histological examination of organs. Whole genome analysis revealed the absence of virulence factors or genes that may transmit antibiotic resistance. In the double-blind study with 60 human participants (aged 18-60 years), consumption of S. salivarius UBSS-01 for 30 days was found to be safe and results were comparable with placebo treatment These findings indicate that S. salivarius UBSS-01 may be safe for human consumption.

Hepatoprotective Native Plants Documented in Brazilian Traditional Medicine Literature: Current Knowledge and Prospects

The native flora of Brazil covers a large biodiversity of plants, some of which have important pharmacological properties. Ethnobotanical studies have established that the folk use of plants for hepatobiliary disorders is very common in Brazil. This review aimed to compile, describe and discuss the main native Brazilian medicinal plants used as hepatoprotective agents listed on 25 books by authors from various regions in the country. Based on the 153 species found, a comprehensive analysis of the most relevant scientific studies is presented, including Piper umbellatum, Echinodorus macrophyllus, Fevillea trilobata and Achyrocline satureioides. Some medicinal plants share both a large number of citations and scientific evidence to corroborate their hepatoprotective effects, including Solanum paniculatum, Baccharis crispa and Phyllanthus niruri, which could be of interest to develop new phytomedicines. Additionally, some active ingredients are indicated as being responsible for the liver protective effects described, particularly phenolic compounds (flavonoids, coumestans and lignans).