What characteristic of many compounds isolated from marine sources necessitates rigorous toxicological evaluation before human trials?

Answer

They can be highly potent, meaning the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is narrow

Compounds isolated from marine organisms, frequently the result of intense evolutionary competition, often exhibit extremely high biological potency. This high potency means that the concentration required to elicit a beneficial therapeutic effect is very close to the concentration that begins to cause adverse or toxic reactions in the biological system. This narrow therapeutic window demands extremely careful and rigorous toxicological evaluation before any progression toward human trials can occur. Researchers must meticulously map the dose-response curve to ensure that even minor variations in dosage or delivery do not lead to significant harm.

What characteristic of many compounds isolated from marine sources necessitates rigorous toxicological evaluation before human trials?

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