Safety evaluation of chromium picolinate in experimental rats

ABSTRACT

Background: Chromium, an essential trace mineral plays an important role in the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat and proteins. Chromium picolinate (Cr.Pic) is used in alternative medicine to treat chromium deficiency. Though Cr.Pic is increasingly used to treat diabetes and obesity, studies on its safety profile is limited.Methods: Acute toxicity study was conducted by oral administration of Cr.Pic (2000 mg/kg body weight). The animals were maintained another 14 days with once a day observation. For sub-chronic studies, test groups were treated with Cr.Pic 10 mg/kg/day for 90 days. Tests for hepatic and renal function were conducted. Effect of Cr.Pic on behavioural changes and motor co-ordination was done on every week. Histopathological studies were conducted on day 90 at the end of the experiment.Results: Acute toxicity study of Cr.Pic showed no signs of toxicity and mortality. Absence of any behavioural alteration or mortality during the period of 14 days indicates that Cr.Pic has no latent effect. Similar results were obtained with sub-chronic studies suggesting safety of Cr.Pic. Cr.Pic treated groups showed no changes in learning and motor co-ordination compared to the untreated group. No gross histopathological changes were seen in any group indicating safety of Cr.Pic.Conclusions: The present study conferred safety profile of Cr.Pic from normal results obtained in hepatic function, renal function, behavioural and histopathological studies, suggesting its safety.