Toxicity evaluation of encapsulated and non-encapsulated Astaxanthin in Swiss albinos mice

Abstract

Astaxanthin is a keto carotenoid found in many crustaceans and microorganism especially in Haematococcus pluvialis. Astaxanthin was encapsulated with liposomal substances. The objective of the study was to investigate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of encapsulated and non-encapsulated astaxanthin. The test samples in the range of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/g bw was taken. Each group consists of 5 animals. No deaths occurred and no treatment-related changes were observed in the detailed clinical observations, manipulative tests, hematology, blood chemistry, organ weight, but some changes like grip strength, motor activity, body weights, food consumption and histopathology was founded. Body color changes were also found in higher dose of both encapsulated and non-encapsulated astaxanthin. Based on this results, it was concluded that the 250 mg/kg bw has no side effect when compared to 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw in acute toxicity study. Further, in sub-acute toxicity all the dose like 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg bw shows no adverse effect. Hence, the dosage for anticancer study can be fixed at 20 mg/kg bw respectively.