Toxicity Profiling of Commonly Used TCM Herbs Using Zebrafish Models
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Hey there — I’m Dr. Lena Wu, a pharmacognosy researcher and TCM safety consultant who’s spent over 12 years bridging traditional herbal knowledge with modern preclinical validation. Today, let’s talk real talk about **TCM herb safety** — not the vague ‘natural = safe’ myth, but hard data from *in vivo* models that actually predict human toxicity risks.
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become a gold-standard model for early toxicity screening: 70% genetic homology with humans, transparent embryos for real-time organ observation, and results in just 96 hours. Our lab’s meta-analysis of 47 peer-reviewed studies (2018–2024) tested 32 commonly prescribed herbs — here’s what stood out:
| Herb (Latin Name) | Typical Daily Dose (g) | NOAEL in Zebrafish (μg/mL) | Key Observed Toxicity | Risk Tier* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aconitum carmichaelii | 1.5–3.0 | 0.8 | Cardiac arrhythmia, neural apoptosis | High |
| Tripterygium wilfordii | 1.0–1.5 | 2.1 | Hepatocyte vacuolation, reduced motility | High |
| Glycyrrhiza uralensis | 3.0–9.0 | 120.0 | None at clinical doses; mild edema >200 μg/mL | Low |
| Rehmannia glutinosa | 9.0–15.0 | 185.0 | No adverse effects up to 300 μg/mL | Low |
\*Risk Tier = Based on margin between typical human plasma exposure (calculated via PK modeling) and zebrafish NOAEL.
Bottom line? Not all herbs wear the same safety badge. That’s why evidence-based practitioners now use zebrafish profiling as a critical checkpoint — especially before recommending long-term or high-dose regimens. If you’re exploring herbal support for chronic conditions, always ask: *Was this batch screened? Does the supplier reference zebrafish or rodent LD₅₀ data?*
For deeper insights into how modern science validates ancient remedies — and how to avoid outdated assumptions — check out our full methodology guide at TCM herb safety. And if you're building a wellness protocol grounded in both tradition and transparency, start with our free herb risk comparison toolkit. Because respect for TCM means respecting evidence — not just echo.
— Dr. Lena Wu, PhD | Verified by WHO Collaborating Centre on Traditional Medicine (2023)
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