Recent studies have demonstrated the safety of Aller-7®, which has been clinically shown to reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. To further assess safety, the potential toxicity of Aller-7® was evaluated in acute oral and dermal tests in animals. The oral LD50 was greater than 5,000 mg per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg bw), and no signs of toxicity were observed at this dose. When applied to skin, the LD50 was found to be more than 2,000 mg/kg bw. Aller-7® did not cause skin sensitization and had only minimal potential as an eye irritant. In addition, the in vitro ability of Aller-7® to inhibit key inflammatory mediators of lung tissue damage and airway constriction was compared to other known free radical scavengers. LC50 is the concentration of a compound that inhibits 50% of the free radical activity measured, with lower LC50 values indicating greater efficiency. For superoxide radical, the Aller-7® LC50 value was less than that of catechins (antioxidants commonly found in tea), and comparable to the value for gallic acid (a component of Aller-7® and a well-known antioxidant ). Aller-7® was more efficient at quenching nitric oxide and hydroxyl radicals compared to catechins and curcuminoids (from turmeric). Aller-7® was also more effective than the potent antioxidant BHA in protecting red blood cells. These results extend the support for Aller-7® safety and its clinical antioxidant potential to scavenge free radicals encountered in allergic rhinitis.

Source: Bagchi M, Amit A, Saxena S, Pratibha N, Bagchi D, Toxicologic Evaluation and Antioxidant Potential of a Novel Botanical Extract for Use in Ameliorating Allergic Rhinitis, Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology, 78:Abs 1-S 1019, March, 2004.