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KMID : 1161420160190100970
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Journal of Medicinal Food
2016 Volume.19 No. 10 p.970 ~ p.977
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Assessment of Beneficial and Possible Toxic Effects of Two New Alfalfa-Derived Shelf Products
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Soto-Zarazua Maria G.
Bah Moustapha
Garcia-Alcocer Maria G.
Berumen Laura C.
Costa Carla Sofia
Bessa Maria Joao
Rodrigues Francisca
Teixeira Joao Paulo
Oliveira Maria Beatriz P. P.
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Abstract
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Aerial parts of Medicago sativa L. have been used as food and its consumption has been associated with health benefits, one among the most important being menopausal symptoms control. This work was aimed to explore possible pharmacological effects of two new alfalfa-derived products that have recently emerged as daily beverage preparations. In exploring their potential estrogenic effects, they produced no relevant alteration in the uterus. However, lowering glucose levels until normal values without causing further hypoglycemic effect were observed, when rats were treated with 1.5?g/kg/day samples. In vivo acute toxicity was not found when the alfalfa products were tested up to 3?g/kg rat weight. Furthermore, in vitro studies were conducted to assess their possible toxic effects. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase tests were carried out on the Caco-2 cell model to determine cell viability and membrane integrity. A concentration-dependent effect was observed, with a significant decrease in cell viability after exposure to concentrations of alfalfa product up to 100?mg/mL (after 3?h of incubation) and 50?mg/mL (after 24?h of treatment). Although in vitro level, the decrease in cell viability at these still low doses may underlie some toxicity, making necessary additional studies before any recommendation of a sustained consumption of these products by humans.
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KEYWORD
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alfalfa, Caco-2 cells, cell viability, estrogenic, hypoglycemic, toxicity
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