ORITSEMEYIWA ANSEL ONUWAJE

The consumption of dietary supplements for cellular health and detoxification is increasing globally, yet many proprietary formulations lack rigorous safety evaluation measures . CellifeIQ is a polyherbal supplement marketed to enhance intracellular glutathione levels; however, its subacute toxicity profile remains unknown . To address this gap, this study evaluated the subacute (28-day) oral toxicity of CellifeIQ on kidney function, hematological parameters, and glucose homeostasis in male Wistar rats. Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=5) consisting of a Control group receiving distilled water and three treatment groups receiving CellifeIQ at 20, 80, and 600 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The protocol was conducted in accordance with OECD Test Guideline 407, with body weight, feed, and water consumption monitored weekly.After 28 days, blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. No mortality or overt clinical signs of toxicity were observed. However, the high dose (600 mg/kg) caused significant reductions in feed consumption and body weight gain, alongside a significant increase in water intake. .Renal function assessment revealed a significant decrease in serum potassium (K+) across all treated groups and reduced creatinine levels at 80 and 600 mg/kg, indicative of metabolic alteration rather than renal filtration failure. Hematological parameters and fasting blood glucose levels remained largely stable. In conclusion, CellifeIQ was welltolerated at lower doses but induced signs of hepatotoxicity and metabolic disruption at the highest dose tested, establishing the No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (NOAEL) at 80 mg/kg. These findings suggest that high-dose supplementation may pose health risks, validating the need for strict dose regulation of antioxidant-boosting formulations.