Progress and promise of alternative animal and non-animal methods in biomedical research

Irlan Almeida Freires; David Fernando Colon Morelo; Lélio Fernando Ferreira Soares; Isabela Silva Costa; Leonardo Pereira de Araújo; Isadora Breseghello; Henrique Ballassini Abdalla; Josy Goldoni Lazarini; Pedro Luiz Rosalen; Suzane Cristina Pigossi; Marcelo Franchin

doi:10.1007/s00204-023-03532-1

Progress and promise of alternative animal and non-animal methods in biomedical research

Arch Toxicol. 2023 Sep;97(9):2329-2342. doi: 10.1007/s00204-023-03532-1. Epub 2023 Jul 2.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biosciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. [email protected].
² Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
³ School of Dentistry, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil.
⁴ School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil.
⁵ Laboratory of Neuroimmune Interface of Pain Research, São Leopoldo Mandic Institute and Research Center, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
⁶ Department of Biosciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
⁷ Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil.
⁸ Bioactivity and Applications Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.

PMID: 37394624
DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03532-1

Abstract

Cell culture and invertebrate animal models reflect a significant evolution in scientific research by providing reliable evidence on the physiopathology of diseases, screening for new drugs, and toxicological tests while reducing the need for mammals. In this review, we discuss the progress and promise of alternative animal and non-animal methods in biomedical research, with a special focus on drug toxicity.

Keywords: 3D cell culture; Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina); Fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster); Galleria mellonella larvae; Roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans); Zebrafish.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Biomedical Research*
Mammals
Models, Animal