Subjective biosafety assessment of bisdemethoxycurcumin from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa

Abstract

Introduction/Background: Curcuma longa, a plant native to the Indian subcontinent has a variety of biological activities. Curcumin is the most abundant and biologically active compound with many therapeutic properties. Demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) – the two other bioactive components present in Curcuma longa, besides curcumin, are collectively termed curcuminoids. Apart from the well-known curcumin, BDMC also has been reported to possess promising biological and pharmacological effects, but very little scientific evidence on its safety assessment has been published.Objective: The present study was undertaken to determine the safety of pure BDMC from Curcuma longa extract in rodents which comprises of general toxicity (both four weeks and three months duration), reproductive/developmental toxicity and genotoxicity studies.Methods: The Good Laboratory Practice studies were carried out in accordance with the test guidelines established by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.Results: No treatment-related adverse findings were seen in general toxicity testing and a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 1000 mg/kg/day was established after four weeks (sub-acute) and three-months (sub-chronic) dosing. Evaluation of fertility, embryo-fetal, and post-natal reproductive and developmental parameters also showed no adverse findings with a NOAEL of 1000 mg/kg/day established. The results of genotoxicity as evaluated by in vitro reverse mutation assay, and in vivo micronucleus test in mice indicate that BDMC did not induce any genotoxic effects.Conclusion: Oral administration of BDMC is safe in rodents and non-mutagenic, with no adverse effects under experimental conditions.

Keywords:

• Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC)
• Curcuma longa extract
• Toxicity study
• OECD guidelines
• No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL)
• Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Diligence Bio Private Ltd, and Palamur Biosciences Private Limited, India for their support in conducting the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The original data presented in this study are available and further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this study.