EVALUATION OF ACUTE AND SUB ACUTE TOXICITY OF FUMARATE

Background: Fumarate is an organic salt derived from fumaric acid, a dicarboxylic acid found in many fruits and vegetables. It plays a role in the citric acid cycle, which is a series of chemical reactions that occur in cells to produce energy. Fumarate is also used as a food additive and medication for treating certain medical conditions such as iron-deficiency anemia, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of acute and subacute administration of fumarate. Methods: The experiment involved the use of Wistar rats as the test animals. For the 28-day exposure to fumarate, the rats' body weight, blood, and organs were monitored and collected. A separate acute toxicity study was conducted in mice to determine the LD50 of fumarate. Afterward, a sub-acute toxicity study was performed on rats, in which the animals were given different doses of fumarate for a period of time and their body weight, blood, and organs were monitored and collected. The data collected was analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test. Results: The LD50 in the acute toxicity study in mice was found to be 3,807.89 mg/kg. The body weight of rats exposed to Fumarate did not significantly change throughout the study. Fumarate administration led to significant changes in some white cell parameters and did not significantly affect the red blood cell indices. Normal levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides was observed as well as albumin and total protein levels in both male and female rats. Histological examination of the different organs revealed Fumarate to be hepatotoxic. Conclusion: Fumarate possess a wide margin of safety in mice whereas subacute furmarate exposure in rats had significant effects on haematological parameters, and white blood cels, suggesting potential health risk, the aoita, heart and kidney tissues were normal. However, care must be taken due to it effects on the liver. Keywords: Fumarate, Acute toxicity, Subscute toxicity, Hematological parameters Histopathological examination.