Abstract
Studies were conducted to evaluate the subchronic and developmental toxicity of Aquateric® Aqueous Enteric Coating. Homogeneity and stability studies were conducted over a range of 5,000 to 50,000 ppm Aquateric in the diet. In the subchronic study, groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (20/sex/group) received 0 (control), 5,000, 25,000, or 50,000 ppm Aquateric in the diet for 90 consecutive days. No mortality, clinical signs of toxicity or adverse toxicological effects on hematology or serum chemistry parameters, body weights, feed consumption, ophthalmological examinations, or histological evaluation of tissues were noted in any treatment group. In the developmental toxicity study, groups of pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (25/group) received 0 (control), 5,000, 25,000 or 50,000 ppm Aquateric in the diet on gestational days 6-15. No evidence of maternal toxicity or fetotoxicity or embryotoxicity was noted. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) exceeds 50,000 ppm in the diet, which represents a dose range of approximately 3600 to 4100 mg/kg/day. The results of these studies demonstrate the low toxicity of Aquateric. The estimated human intake is approximately 4 mg/kg/day. Based on the NOAEL from the subchronic study of 3604 mg/kg/day, the margin of safety is 900.