A comprehensive toxicological safety assessment of an extract of Ageratum conyzoides.

A battery of toxicological studies was conducted to aid in the safety assessment of an ethanolic extract of Ageratum conyzoides for use as an ingredient in food. In accordance with internationally accepted standards, a bacterial reverse mutation test, an in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test, an in vivo mammalian micronucleus test, and a 90-day repeated-dose oral toxicity study in rats were performed. In the first three applied test systems, no evidence of mutagenicity, clastogenicity or genotoxicity was revealed.