Toxicity studies of a bioactive protein with antithrombotic–thrombolytic activity, DLBS1033

Abstract

DLBS1033 is a bioactive protein extract containing Lumbricus rubellus and has been known to have antithrombotic/thrombolytic activity. The present study was aimed to assess the safety aspect of DLBS1033 in a preclinical setting, which included observation on toxic signs after acute and repeated administrations, and the drug’s effect on prenatal development and drug interaction. In acute toxicity study, a high dose level (16.2 g/kg) of DLBS1033 was well tolerated. In subchronic toxicity study, after the doses of 270, 540 and 1080 mg/kg of DLBS1033 per day, no mortality was observed and other parameters were all observed to be normal. In prenatal developmental toxicity, no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of DLBS1033 was observed at a moderate dose (540 mg/kg). Coadministration of DLBS1033 with clopidogrel or aspirin did not cause gastric lesions, except when all three drugs were coadministrated. Taken together, results of the present study suggested that DLBS1033 is safe for long-term administration, with a caution at a high dose used during pregnancy, and can be used in combination with one of the antiplatelet drugs.

• Acute
• interaction
• mice
• prenatal development
• rats
• safety
• subchronic

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Audrey Clarissa and Sherly Juliani for their critical review of the manuscript.