Toxicity

Toxicity

Introduction

Toxicology is a branch of science that deals with toxins and poisons and their effects and treatment. Toxicological screening is very important for the development of new drugs and for the extension of the therapeutic potential of existing molecules. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that it is essential to screen new molecules for pharmacological activity and toxicity potential in animals (21CFR Part 314). The toxic effects of chemicals, food substances, pharmaceuticals, etc., have attained great significance in the 21st century.

Introduction

Toxicology is a branch of science that deals with toxins and poisons and their effects and treatment. Toxicological screening is very important for the development of new drugs and for the extension of the therapeutic potential of existing molecules. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that it is essential to screen new molecules for pharmacological activity and toxicity potential in animals (21CFR Part 314). The toxic effects of chemicals, food substances, pharmaceuticals, etc., have attained great significance in the 21st century.

  • Toxicity testing of new compounds:

Toxicity testing of new compounds is essential for drug development process. The preclinical toxicity testing on various biological systems reveals the species-, organ- and dose- specific toxic effects of an investigational product. The toxicity of substances can be observed by (a) studying the accidental exposures to a substance (b) in vitro studies using cells/ cell lines (c) in vivo exposure on experimental animals. The pre-clinical toxicity testing helps to calculate “No Observed Adverse Effect Level” which is needed to initiate the clinical evaluation of investigational products.

  • Toxicity:

The degree to which a substance (a toxin or poison) can harm humans or animals. Acute Subchronic toxicity is the ability of a toxic substance to cause effects for more than one year but less than the lifetime of the exposed organism. Chronic toxicity is the ability of a substance or mixture of substances to cause harmful effects over an extended period, usually upon repeated or continuous exposure, sometimes lasting for the entire life of the exposed organism. ITC Labs Biological Toxicological Testing Offering in Drugs, Agrochemicals, Ayurveda and Herbal Formulations: