Some studies showed that intraperitoneal administration of Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) crude extract presented toxic effects as weight loss, negative efficiency on protein ratio, negative net protein utilization, poor digestion of proteins and death of rats and mice after 10 days treatment, however, after autoclaving the crude extract, the toxic effects were lost [17]. Studies on the toxicity of semipure lectins from Tepary bean intraperitoneally administrated in CD-1 mice, found a lethal Anti-diabetic Compound Library ic50 dose (LD50) of 1100 and 1120 mg/kg body weight for males and females, respectively

[18]. A semipure lectin fraction from Tepary bean seeds (TBLF) obtained by a molecular weight exclusion chromatography protocol exhibits in vitro antiproliferative differential effect on cancer and

normal cells [19]. Before testing the in vivo anticancer effect, we studied the acute toxicity of TBLF using intragastric doses from 5 to 2,000 mg/body weight kg suggesting a FK228 molecular weight secure dose of 50 mg/kg. The intragastric 50 mg/kg TBLF dose was assayed for subchronic toxicity (daily dosing for 28 days) where no toxic or adverse effects were observed, therefore 50 mg/kg TBLF was determined as the NOAEL [20]. Here we present a short-term assay in order to know the digestion resistance of lectins and the effect on complete blood count (CBC) after 24 h of 50 mg/kg TBLF single-dose administration. The anti-nutritional effects and toxic parameters of a 6-week schedule study (intragastric administration every third day) were studied; where food intake, body weight, biochemical blood markers and histopathological analysis were included. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were purchased from Institute of Neurobiology, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (INB-UNAM) and placed in individual cages with ad libitum water and rodent chow food (Rodent Laboratory Chow 5001, Saint Louis, MO, USA). The animals remained one week

for acclimatization where the circadian cycle was adjusted to 12 h light/12 h darkness, at 22° C and a relative humidity of 30%. The animals were sacrificed by decapitation at the end of the experiments. The experimental protocol was else based on the Mexican official standard [21] and approved by the INB-UNAM ethics committee. We have performed a standardized method for TBLF obtaining [19]. Some modifications were done in order to improve the lectin enrichment. Briefly, Tepary bean seeds were grinded (A-10 Analytical Tekmar mill) and degreased with chloroform-methanol 2:1 in a 4:1 w/v proportion, stirring for 15 min and then vacuum filter; this process was repeated 2 more times and flour was dried at room temperature in a fume hood.