Non-animal models for research and toxicity testing of drugs

Abstract

All drug discovery methods, right from ‘trial-and-error’ approach to modern rational synthesis of drugs, make use of animals to check for efficacy and toxicity of compounds. This results in millions of animals being sacrificed every year. Following a global debate on “cruelty of animals”, various acts were made and enforced in order to protect animal rights. As a work, around to these animal protection acts, drug discovery scientists started finding alternative approaches to animal studies for research. This review attempts to compile some of the more important non-animal models which are being used for testing safety and efficacy of drugs in preclinical stages.