Conclusions
The toxicity of NDGA was tested by using different concentrations of NDGA in a hepatocyte suspension. This showed that NDGA was toxic through observations of a greater number of cells dying in the NDGA solutions than in the control solution.
The potential mechanism in which hepatotoxicity occurred was tested by using GSH on metabolized NDGA. The GSH bonded with two different products of NDGA metabolism because they were both potentially toxic. This shows that these two products could be reason for the hepatotoxicity.
In conclusion we find that NDGA cannot be deemed safe for consumption until further research has been done. We plan on isolating each potential mechanism that NDGA and GSH form after the metabolism. After the isolation is complete we plan to perform trials to test the toxicity of the mechanisms. Each mechanism will be added in different concentrations to a cell suspension and its cytotoxicity will be accessed using Trypan blue dye. This will allow us to come to a conclusion if only one or both mechanisms cause hepatotoxicity.
After the toxic mechanisms are found the concentrations will be looked at seeing what amount of NDGA can be ingested without harmful detrimental effects. We will see the impact over short and long periods of time allowing us to create a safe pharmaceutical product that could be commercialized safely. A dose that could be sold as an over the counter drug for minor ailments would be created along with a prescription dose for major ailments.
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