A novel functional drink with nutraceutical properties was formulated from the aqueous extracts of Ilex guayusa, and Vernonanthura patens leaves, and cocoa husks. This juice contains various bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds and methylxanthines, with antioxidant and stimulant properties of pharmacological interest. However, it is known whether herbal extracts' interaction may have adverse toxic effects on human health. To evaluate this functional drink's innocuity, we estimated the acute oral toxicity (AOT) in experimental mice. This paper presents the AOT evaluation of two formulations of a functional drink (pre-formulation and microencapsulation) at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.). No signs of adverse toxicity and mortality were observed after a single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w. Likewise, no significant body and organ weight changes, food and water consumption behavior, and no histopathological changes were observed in the main organs evaluated. In conclusion, this functional drink can be categorized as low toxicity " according to the Globally Harmonized Classification System (GHS), making it a potential beverage with high nutritional and pharmacological value.
Keywords: ANOVA, One-way analysis of variance; AOT, Acute oral toxicity; Acute oral toxicity; Cocoa husk; Functional drink; GHS, Globally Harmonized Classification System; INSPI, National Institute of Public Health Research of Ecuador; Ilex guayusa; LD50Median, lethal dose; MCCH, Maquita Cushunchic Fundation; Mice; OECD, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; ROW, Relative organ weight; SD, Standard deviation; Vernonanthura patens; b.w., body weight.
© 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.