Determination of the Mineral Composition of the Pulp and Evaluation of the Acute Toxicity of the Seeds of Carica papaya L. Consumed in Lubumbashi and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This work aimed, on the one hand, to determine the mineral and phytochemical composition of Carica papaya in order to guarantee the food safety of consumers and on the other hand, to evaluate the acute toxicity of papaya seeds. The papayas were bought at the Mzée market in Lubumbashi and Selembao in Kinshasa. Fruit sampling was done according to the ISO 7002 standard on agricultural and food products;the papayas were firm, mature, and without stains or physical damage. The analysis results of the papaya pulp showed both for the samples from the city of Lubumbashi and for the city province of Kinshasa that it contains respectively 85.87% and 84.46% water, 0.59% and 0.53% ash content. The mineral evaluation of our two samples presented a potassium content of 200 ± 8 mg, magnesium 13.12 ± 3 mg, calcium 22.15 ± 2 mg, sodium 3 mg ± 0.5 for the sample from Lubumbashi and 192.32 ± 8 mg of potassium, 14.458 ± 3 mg of magnesium, 20.58 ± 2 mg of calcium and 3.58 ± 0.5 mg of sodium for the sample from Kinshasa in macroelements. Concerning the trace elements, after analysis, we found zinc content (0.29 ± 0.1 mg and 0.12 ± 0.1 mg), copper (0.02 ± 0.01 mg and 0.14 ± 0.01 mg), and iron (2.22 ± 0.5 mg and 2.04 ± 0.5 mg) respectively for Lubumbashi and Kinshasa. The chemical screening indicates the presence of alkaloids, saponosides, tannins catechics, flavonoids and anthocyanins in the palm wine and ethanolic extract of the seeds of Carica papaya and an absence of cyanogenic glycosides and gallic tannins. With mild toxicity, the seeds of the fruit of Carica papaya L. can be used with moderate risk by the population.

Evaluation of the Nutritional Value and Acute Toxicity of the Seeds of the Fruit of Annona muricata L. (Sursop) Consumed in Kinshasa

In this paper, the author aimed to determine the nutritional value of soursop (Annona muricata L. fruit) consumed in Kinshasa as well as the study of the acute toxicity of its seeds. The fruit of Annona muricata L. was sampled according to the ISO 7002 standard for agricultural and food products. The selected fruits were ripe, without physical damage. The usual analytical methods allowed the determination of the nutritional value of the fruit pulp of Annona muricata L. The water content was measured by the method of loss of mass on drying. The total amount of ash was determined by incineration in the oven at 550°C. The mineral elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP0). The determination of acute toxicity was carried out on 25 female mice of the NMRI SUISSE species according to OECD 425 guidelines. For 100 grams of fresh material from the fruit pulp, we noted a very high water content of 84% ± 6%. We also note a particularly high amount of carbohydrates with a rate of 12.2% ± 2%. Protein and lipid content were relatively low at 1% ± 0.01% and 0.7% ± 0.3% respectively. The dietary fiber content was 0.8% ± 0.2%. An energy value of 49.3 Kcal per 100 grams of pulp was determined. The LD 50 obtained was 3320 mg/kg, indicating slight toxicity of soursop seeds. The results of this study show that the white pulp of the fruit of Annona muricata L. consumed in Kinshasa is rich in carbohydrates when we compare it to others biomolecules. It also contains dietary fiber and mineral salts making soursop an excellent constituent of a weight loss diet with a low energy intake.

Study on the Acute Toxicity and Genetics Toxicity of Bensulfuronk-methyl on Danio rerio

[Objective] The aim was to study the effect of bensulfuron-methyl herbicide on acute toxicity and genetics toxicity of Danio redo. [ Method] Median lethal concentration was calculated by acute toxicity test, and analyzing the herbicide whether existing in potential toxicity to aquatic organisms or not. Based on the study of acute toxicity, genetics toxicity was carried out, by calculating the micronucleus rate to judge bensulfuron-methyl herbicide whether existing in potential toxicity or not. [ Result ] The LD5o （24 h and 48 h） of bensulfuron-methyl herbicide are 0.698 ml/L and 0.637 ml/L respectively, the safe concentration was 0.159 ml/L. The results on the effects of micronucleus （MN） in erythrocytes of Danio redo induced by bensulfuron-methyl at different times and different concentrations showed that the MN rate of control group was 0.010 3%, the highest MN rate of experimental group reached to 0. 372%, it also indicated that bensulfuron-methyl herbicide had genetics toxicity to Danio redo. At the same detection time, there was dose-effect relationship of MN rate in erythrocytes between treatment and control groups with different concentrations. In the same treatment group, the MN rate in erythrocytes reached to peak value at 24 h, and decreased at 48 h and 72 h with the infection time was prolonged. [ Conclusion ] The study provides some basis for scientifically selecting and reasonably using herbicide.

Comparison of T-2 Toxin and HT-2 Toxin Distributed in the Skeletal System with That in Other Tissues of Rats by Acute Toxicity Test

Twelve healthy rats were divided into the T-2 toxin group receiving gavage of 1 mg/kg T-2 toxin and the control group receiving gavage of normal saline. Total relative concentrations of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin in the skeletal system（thighbone, knee joints, and costal cartilage） were significantly higher than those in the heart, liver, and kidneys（P 〈 0.05）. The relative concentrations of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin in the skeletal system（thighbone and costal cartilage） were also significantly higher than those in the heart, liver, and kidneys. The rats administered T-2 toxin showed rapid metabolism compared with that in rats administered HT-2 toxin, and the metabolic conversion rates in the different tissues were 68.20%-90.70%.

Estimation of Acute Toxicity of Ammonium Sulphate to the Fresh Water Catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis——Ⅰ.Analysis of LC_(50) Values Determined by Various Methods

The acute toxic effects of ammonium sulphate to fresh-water catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (H.fossilis) have been studied by determining LC50 values with 95% confidence limits, by the graphic method, the logistic method, the Spearman and Karber method and the trimmed Spearman-Karber method. The trimmed Spearman-Karber method was found the most ideal for ammonium salt toxicity test. The flaws in the trimmed Spearman-Karber method are also discussed.

Structural Characterization and Acute Toxicity Prediction of Substituted Aromatic Compounds by Using Molecular Vertexes Correlative Index

A molecular structural characterization （MSC） method called molecular vertexes correlative index （MVCI） was used to describe the structures of 30 substituted aromatic compounds. Through multiple linear regression （MLR） and stepwise multiple regression （SMR）, a quantitative structure-toxicity relationship （QSTR） model with 4 variables was obtained. The correlation coefficient （R） of the model was 0.9467. Through partial least-squares regression （PLS）, another QSTR model with 5 principal components was obtained. The correlation coefficient （R） of the model was 0.9518. Both models were evaluated by performing the cross-validation with the leave-one-out （LOO） procedure and the Cross-Validation （CV） correlation coefficients （Rcv） were 0.9208 and 0.9214, respectively. The results suggested good stability and predictability of the models, and the molecular vertexes correlative index could successfully describe the structures of the substituted aromatic compounds.

Experimental Study on Acute Toxicity of Yusheng Xiaoyang Lotion in Mice

[Objective] This study was carried out to provide toxicological basic data for the development and research of Yushen Xiaoyang Lotion.[Method]SPF SD mice, half male and half female, were divided into a blank control group and a Yusheng Xiaoyang Lotion group randomly. The percutaneous acute toxicity of Yusheng Xiaoyang Lotion was observed by one time limited dose method, and ap-parent sign changes and death condition of mice after administration of the drug were recorded. After the test, all the animals were weighed and subjected to gross anatomy, and if there were abnormal phenomena, further histopathological examina-tion of should be done. Animals died during the test should be subjected to anato-my. [Result] All the mice survived and exhibited normal behavior,glossy hair and increase of body weight in accordance with growth law.No local and systematic toxicity responses on skin were observed. In visual observation after dissection, no pathologic changes on heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney were observed. There were no significant differences in body weight between the Yusheng Xiaoyang Lo-tion group and the blank control group before administration,the 7th d after adminis-tration and the 14th after administration （P〉0.05）. [Conclusion] In the transdermaldrug delivery acute toxicity test of Yusheng Xiaoyang Lotion on mice, no obvious toxic responses were observed under the total dose of 89.70 g/kg （equivalent to 120 times of the clinical daily dose for adults）.

Holographic quantitative structure-activity relationship for prediction acute toxicity of benzene derivatives to the guppy(poecilia reticulata)

Holographic quantitative structure activity relationship(HQSAR) is an emerging QSAR technique with the combined application of molecular hologram, which encoded the frequency of occurrence of various molecular fragment types, and the subsequent partial least squares(PLS) regression analysis. In this paper, the acute toxicity data to the guppy( poecilia reticulata) for a series of 56 substituted benzenes, phenols, aromatic amines and nitro aromatics were subjected and this resulted in a model with a high predictive ability. The influence of fragment size and fragment distinction parameters on the quality of HQSAR model was investigated. The robustness and predictive ability of the model were also validated by leave one out (LOO) cross validation procedure and external testing data set.

Quantitative Correlation of Chromatographic Retention and Acute Toxicity for Alkyl(1-phenylsulfonyl) Cycloalkane Carboxylates and Their Structural Parameters by DFT

Twenty eight alkyl(1-phenylsulfonyl) cycloalkane carboxylates were computed at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. Based on linear solvation energy theory, two quantitative correlation equations of the molecular structures of alkyl(1-phenylsulfonyl) cycloalkane carboxylate com- pounds to their chromatographic retention (capacity factor lgKW) and the toxicity for photo- bacterium phosphoreum (–lgEC50) were developed by using the molecular structural parameters as theoretical descriptors (r2 = 0.9501, 0.9488). The two quantitative correlation equations were consequently cross validated by leave-one-out (LOO) validation method with q2 of 0.9113 and 0.9281, respectively. The result showed that the two equations achieved in this work by B3LYP/6-31G* are both more advantageous than those from AM1, and can be used to predict the lgKW and –lgEC50 of congeneric organics.

QSARS for Acute Toxicity of Halogenated Benzenes to Bacteria in Natural Waters

Objective To measure the acute toxicity of halogenated benzenes to bacteria in natural waters and to study quantitative relationships between the structure and activity of chemicals. Methods The concentration values causing 50% inhibition of bacteria growth （24h-IC50） were determined according to the bacterial growth inhibition test method. The energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital and the net charge of carbon atom of 20 halogenated benzenes were calculated by the quantum chemical MOPAC program. Results The logl/IC50 values ranged from 4.79 for 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene to 3.65 for chlorobenzene. A quantitative structure-activity relationship model was derived from the toxicity and structural parameters： logl/IC50 =-0.531（ELUMO）＋1.693（Qc）＋0.163（logP）＋3.375. This equation was found to fit well （r^2=0.860, s=0.106）, and the average percentage error was only 1.98%. Conclusion Halogenated benzenes and alkyl halogenated benzenes are non-polar narcotics, and have hydrophobicity-dependent toxicity. The halogenated phenols and anilines exhibit a higher toxic potency than their hydrophobicity, whereas 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene is electrophile with the halogen acting as the leaving group.

Predicting the Acute Toxicity of Aromatic Amines by Linear and Nonlinear Regression Methods

In current paper, a quantitative structure-activity relationship （QSAR） study was performed for the prediction of acute toxicity of aromatic amines. A set of 56 compounds was randomly divided into a training set of 46 compounds and a test set of 10 compounds. The electronic and topological descriptors computed by the Scigress package and Dragon software were used as predictor variables. Multiple linear regression （MLR） and support vector machine （SVM） were utilized to build the linear and nonlinear QSAR models, respectively. The obtained models with five descriptors show strong predictive ability. The linear model fits the training set with R2 = 0.71, with higher SVM values of R2 = 0.77. The validation results obtained from the test set indicate that the SVM model is comparable or superior to that obtained by MLR, both in terms of prediction ability and robustness.

Quantitative Correlation of the Acute Toxicity of Phenylthio-carboxylates with Their Structural and Thermodynamic Parameters by DFT Calculation

Phenylthio-carboxylates were computed at the B3LYP/6-31G* level with DFT method. Based on linear solvation energy theory, the structural parameters were firstly taken as theoretical descriptors, and the corresponding linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) equation (r = 0.8989) to the toxicity of photobacterium phosphoreum (–lgEC50) was thus obtained. Then the structural and thermodynamic parameters were taken as theoretical descriptors, and as a result the other corresponding correlation equation (r = 0.9274) relating to –lgEC50 was provided. The two equations achieved in this work by B3LYP/6-31G* are both more advantageous than that from AM1.

Adjuvant chemotherapy and acute toxicity in hypofractionated radiotherapy for early breast cancer

AIM: To evaluate the effect of chemotherapy to the acute toxicity of a hypofractionated radiotherapy(HFRT) schedule for breast cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 116 breast cancer patients with T1, 2N0 Mx. The patients received3-D conformal radiotherapy with a total physical dose of 50.54 Gy or 53.2 Gy in 19 or 20 fractions according to stage, over 23-24 d. The last three to four fractions were delivered as a sequential tumor boost. All patients were monitored for acute skin toxicity according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. The maximum monitored value was taken as the final grading score. Multivariate analysis was performed for the contribution of age, chemotherapy and 19 vs 20 fractions to the radiation acute skin toxicity.RESULTS: The acute radiation induced skin toxicity was as following: grade Ⅰ 27.6%, grade Ⅱ 7.8% and grade Ⅲ 2.6%. No significant correlation was noted between toxicity grading and chemotherapy(P = 0.154, χ2 test). The mean values of acute toxicity score in terms of chemotherapy or not, were 0.64 and 0.46 respectively(P = 0.109, Mann Whitney test). No significant correlation was also noted between acute skin toxicity and radiotherapy fractions(P = 0.47, χ2test). According to univariate analysis, only chemotherapy contributed significantly to the development of acute skin toxicity but with a critical value of P = 0.05. However, in multivariate analysis, chemotherapy lost its statistical significance. None of the patients during the 2-years of follow-up presented any locoregional relapse.CONCLUSION: There is no clear evidence that chemotherapy has an impact to acute skin toxicity after an HFRT schedule. A randomized trial is needed for definite conclusions.

Large-scale Purification and Acute Toxicity of Hygromycin B PhoSphotransferase

Objective To provide the acute toxicity data of hygromycin B phosphotransferase （HPT） using recombinant protein purified from E. coli. Methods Recombinant HPT protein was expressed and purified from E. coli. To exclude the potential adverse effect of bacteria protein in recombinant HPT protein, bacterial control plasmid was constructed, and bacteria control protein was extracted and prepared as recombinant HPT protein. One hundred mice, randomly assigned to 5 groups, were administrated 10 g/kg, 5 g/kg, or 1 g/kg body weight of HPT or 5 g/kg body weight of bacterial control protein or phosphate-buffered saline （PBS） respectively by oral gavage. Results All animals survived with no significant change in body weight gain throughout the study. Macroscopic necropsy examination on day 15 revealed no gross pathological lesions in any of the animals. The maximum tolerated dose （MTD） of HPT was 10 g/kg body weight in mice and could be regarded as nontoxic. Conclusion HPT protein does not have any safety problems to human health.

Studies on acute toxicity of three heavy metal ions to Artemia

Studies on acute toxicity of Cu2+,Mn2+and Zn2^to Artemianauplii(36h)and adults were carried out at15±3°C in the natural seawater where salinity is30using single-factor acute toxicity;on this basis,equi-toxicity test was used to evaluate the effect of joint toxicity of Cu2+,Mn2+and Zn2+to Artemia nauplii(36h)in the same conditions.Results show that Artemia has different tolerances for the three heavy metal ions when it is in different growth period,and the interaction of heavy metal ions varied with growth period,adults are more sensitive of the three heavy metals;The48h LC50of these three heavy metal to the Artemia nauplii is4.0,27.19and115.95mg/L,and to the adults is1.31,6.86and34.23mg/L;the order of toxicity of cuprum,manganese and zinc for Artemia nauplii and adults was Cu2^>Mn2+>Zn2+;the safe concentration of the three heavy metal ions(Cu2+,Mn2+and Zn2+)to Artemia nauplii(36h)and adults were0.4,2.72,11.6,0.13,0.69and3.42mg/L.The results of combined toxicity test showed that Cu-Mn,Cu-Zn and Mn-Zn were all antagonistic to the Artemia naupli.

Evaluation of Acute Toxicity and Sedative Effects of Ethylic Extract of <i>Thymelaea lythroides</i>in Wistar Rats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity and sedative effect of the ethylic extract of Thymelaea lythroides (Tl) on Wistar rats. The study was based on the gavage administration of the ethylic extract of Tl with different doses (i.e. 200, 400, 500 and 5000 mg/kg), where the toxicity and the sedative activity of the plant were observed and the obtained results were analyzed using the ANOVA test followed by the Bonferroni test. The main results of this study showed that the lethal dose of the ethylic extract of Tl was higher than the 5000 mg/kg dose. Moreover, when compared to the control rats, the animals treated with 5000 mg/kg of the extract exhibited significant reduction in appetite for food and water in the first week. Furthermore, results of the psychotropic test conducted during this study showed visible effects on the exploratory activity of the rats. The dose of 5000 mg/kg was also found to have a significant central nervous system effect;the locomotor activities of the animals decreased in a manner similar to those administered with Zepam as control.

The Sub Acute Toxicity Evaluation of <i>Stereospermum kunthianum</i>Aqueous Methanolic Stem Bark Extract

Stereospermum kunthianum (Bignoniaceae) is a plant widely used for health benefits. A safety profile evaluation (acute toxicity study) of the plant extract is critical, in a step to the systematic pharmacognostic study of this plant. Thirty-two (32) rats were randomly selected and divided into four groups labelled 1 to 4 with the initial weights of the rats recorded. The animals in group 1 served as control and were administered distilled water, while those in Groups 2, 3 and 4 received 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg respectively, of the Stereospermum kunthianum aqueous methanolic stem bark extract daily. The results indicated no deaths, no observable clinical signs of toxicity, no obvious stress or changes in physical appearance or behaviour in the rats. This general picture of safety is further supported by the multiple comparison post hoc test (Turkey’s) of, the organs weights, the renal (electrolyte, urea and creatinine), the haematological parameters (RBC, HB, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and Platelet), and the hepatic enzymes (AST and ALT), that all showed the control group to be insignificantly different from the extract treated groups. In conclusion, the extract was deduced to be safe on oral administration for 28 days and it also showed a hepatoprotective quality.

Phytochemical Screening and Acute Toxicity Evaluation of Leaves Extract of Two Fabaceae’s Species: <i>Sesbania pachycarpa</i>DC. and <i>Indigofera berhautiana</i>Gillett

Objective: The aim of this study is to screen chemical composition and to evaluate the acute general toxicity of leaves aqueous extracts from Sesbania pachycarpa DC. (Fabaceae), used in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso to treat malaria, helminthiasis, and aqueous extracts of the leaves from Indigofera berhautiana Gillet (Fabaceae) used to treat hepatitis and typhoid fever. Methods: Aqueous decoction of leaves from Sesbania pachycarpa DC. or Indigofera berhautiana Gillett which are the form of use recommended by traditional health practitioners, were used for tests. Aqueous extracts used to evaluate the acute toxicity, were studied on mice of strain NMRI. For the toxicity study, the doses of the aqueous extracts were respectively 5 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg of body weight. Phytochemical screening was done to identify the phytochemicals contained in extracts. Results: Aqueous extracts of two species: Sesbania pachycarpa DC., Indigofera berhautiana Gillet were not toxic at the maximum dose of 2000 mg/kg of body weight. Phytochemical screening, showed coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols compounds, steroids and/or triterpenes and saponosides in the aqueous extracts of the two species. Alkaloids were identified in Sesbania pachycarpa aqueous extract.

Evaluation of the Acute Toxicity of Prochloraz-manganese Chloride Complex to Environmental Species

[Objectives] This study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity risk of prochloraz-manganese chloride complex to environmental organisms. [Methods] The acute toxicity tests of prochloraz-manganese chloride complex on 8 common environmental organisms, such as Coturnix coturnix japonica, Apis mellifera L., Eisenia foetida, Bombyx mori, Trichogramma japonicum, Brachydanio rerio, Daphnia magna Straus and Scenedesmus obliquus were carried out. [Results] Prochloraz-manganese chloride complex to D. magna EC50(48 h): 1.11 mg a.i./L, with a 95% confidence limit of 1.00-1.26 mg a.i./L;B. rerio LC50(96 h): 2.84 mg a.i./L, with a 95 % Confidence limit of 2.43-3.48 mg a.i./L;S. obliquus ErC50(72 h): 1.88×10^-2 mg a.i./L, with a 95% confidence limit of 1.70×10^-2-2.16×10^-2 mg a.i./L;C. coturnix LD50(168 h): 1.01×10^3 mg a.i./kg body weight, with a 95% confidence limit of 7.87×10^2-1.27×10^3 mg a.i./kg body weight;T. japonicum LR50(24 h): 2.53×10^-3 mg a.i./cm^2, with a 95% confidence limit of 2.14×10^-3-2.99×10^-3 mg a.i./cm^2;B. mori LC50(96 h): 2.03×10^2 mg a.i./L, with a 95% confidence limit of 1.79×10^2-2.30×10^2 mg a.i./L;A. mellifera(peroral) LD50(48 h)>100 μg a.i./bee;A. mellifera(contact) LD50(48 h)>100 μg a.i./bee;E. foetida LC50(14 d)>1.00×10^2 mg a.i./kg dry soil. According to the Guidance for Evaluating and Calculating Degradation Kinetics in Environmental Media for Pesticide Registration, prochloraz-manganese chloride complex had low toxicity to A. mellifera, C. coturnix, B. mori and E. foetida, medium toxicity to D. magna and B. rerio, and high toxicity and low risk to S. obliquus and T. japonicum. [Conclusions] This study provides a data basis for the toxicity and environmental safety evaluation of the agent.