Genotoxicity, acute and subchronic toxicity evaluation of fermented Morinda officinalis

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Food Science
• Herbal Medicine

Background:

• Morinda officinalis possesses significant pharmacological properties, making it a candidate for functional food and medicinal applications.
• Traditional fermentation enhances Morinda officinalis, but its toxicological profile remains uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively assess the toxicological characteristics of fermented Morinda officinalis (FMO) for the first time.
• To establish the safety profile of FMO for potential use in functional foods and medicine.

Main Methods:

• Genotoxicity was evaluated using the Ames test, mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test, and mouse primary spermatocyte chromosome aberration test.
• Acute toxicity was assessed via oral gavage in mice and rats at a dose of 20 g/kg BW.
• A 90-day subchronic toxicity study was conducted in rats with FMO administered at doses up to 8 g/kg BW/day.

Main Results:

• FMO demonstrated no genotoxicity across all tested assays.
• Acute toxicity studies revealed no mortality or adverse effects at a dose of 20 g/kg BW.
• Subchronic studies showed no significant impact on mortality, body weight, food consumption, organ weights, hematology, serum biochemistry, or urinalysis in rats up to 8 g/kg BW/day.

Conclusions:

• Fermented Morinda officinalis (FMO) is non-toxic and free from genotoxic effects.
• The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for FMO was determined to be not less than 8 g/kg BW/day in rats.
• These findings support the safe consumption and application of FMO as a functional food and medicinal agent.