BIOASSAY WITH ARTEMIA SALINA L.: A GATEWAY TO UNDERSTANDING THE TOXICITY OF MEDICINAL PLANT EXTRACTS

This review addresses the taxonomy, anatomy, and life cycle of Artemia salina (brine shrimp), analyzing its applicability in the preliminary assessment of the toxicity of medicinal plant extracts. The growing demand for ecologically conscious and ethical approaches in toxicity testing grants A. salina a valuable role as a model, presenting several advantages. Its responsiveness to environmental changes and sensitivity to toxic compounds highlight it as a highly sensitive test organism. The ease of cultivation, quick results acquisition, relatively low costs, and the possibility to evaluate multiple samples simultaneously contribute to the widespread adoption of this model. ISO/TS 20787:2017 and NBR 16530 guidelines establish standards for conducting toxicity tests with A. salina, promoting result uniformity among different compounds. A variety of parameters, including cytotoxicity, acute and chronic toxicity, cyst hatching, teratogenicity, and larval behavior, offer a comprehensive understanding of potential effects of substances under analysis. Thus, A. salina stands out as an effective model organism for preliminary toxicity assessments of medicinal plant extracts. The combination of these test parameters with standardized guidelines reinforces its utility in toxicological research, contributing to the safety and efficacy of natural products used in traditional and alternative medicine.