Ndg. Ibrahim et al., SCREENING OF KARGASOK TEA .4. STUDIES OF PATHOLOGICAL EFFECTS IN BALBC MICE AND WISTAR RATS/, Veterinary and human toxicology, 35(5), 1993, pp. 399-402
Forty-eight BALB/C mice (30 males, 18 females) and 18 male Wistar rats
were given Kargasok tea in their drinking water. Zero, 15, 25, 50, 75
or 100% concentrations were administered to mice for 2 or 8 w while t
he rats were given 0, 15 or 50% concentrations of the beverage for 12
w. Neither the mice nor rat's organ/body weight ratios were significan
tly affected by treatment. Rats receiving 15 or 50% concentrations of
the tea had nephropathy and non-suppurative necrosis of the duodenum,
pancreas and intestine. No significant microscopic lesions were found
in any treated mice even when given 100% concentration of the tea. The
se findings suggest species variation in susceptibility to toxicity fr
om the tea. The tea may be a cause of renal failure, diabetes mellitus
and malabsorption syndrome and may not be safe for human or animal co
nsumption.