Evaluation of the toxicity of enzymatically decomposed rutin with 13-weeks dietary administration to Wistar rats

The subchronic toxicity of enzymatically decomposed rutin, which consists mainly of isoquercitrin, was investigated in male and female Wistar rats with dietary administration at concentrations of 0, 0.2, 1 and 5% for 13 weeks. No mortality or abnormal clinical signs were observed throughout the experimental period in any groups. Body weight gain was reduced from week 10 to the end of the experiment in the 5% dosed males as compared to the 0% controls. Decreased erythrocytic parameters, i.e. red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit, and significantly lowered serum triglyceride levels were also detected in the 5% males. Organ weight measurement, macro and microscopic observation revealed no test substance-related toxicological changes. Based on the above findings, no-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAELs) for male and female rats were estimated to be I and 5%, respectively, translating into 539 and 3227 mg/kg b.w./day. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.