Safety Assessment of a New Pigmented Safflower Seed Coat (A82) by a Feeding Study on Rat

ABSTRACT Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an annual herbaceous plant, cultivated mainly for the seed which is used for edible oil extraction and bird feeding. This study was designed to evaluate the safety of a new pigmented variety of safflower (A82) seeds. The results showed that oral administration of A82 seeds significantly increased the body weight of male rats in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). Biochemical tests showed that A82 seeds significantly increased the serum levels of AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) (p<0.05), slightly reduced the serum levels of ALT (Alanine aminotransf...