A natural compound called Brosimine B helps retinal cells survive better at a very specific low dose, but hurts them if you give too much.
Scientific Claim
Brosimine B at 10 µM is associated with increased retinal cell viability by 45% under normal culture conditions, while concentrations above 25 µM are associated with reduced viability, suggesting a narrow therapeutic window for neuroprotective effects in avian retinal cells.
Original Statement
“We observed a significant increase in cell viability (relative to the control group) only when Brosimine B reached a concentration of 10 μM (145.0% ± 9.80%, p < 0.0001)... Exposure of the mixed culture to higher concentrations of Brosimine B drastically reduced cell viability: 25.00 μM (0.95 ± 0.15, **p < 0.0001)...”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The study design is an in vitro animal cell model with no randomization or control for confounders, so causation cannot be inferred. The use of 'associated with' correctly reflects the correlational nature of the data.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
Contradicting (1)
Brosimine B and the biphasic dose-response: insights into hormesis and retinal neuroprotection
The study found that Brosimine B helps retinal cells only under stress and only up to about 10 µM, after which it becomes harmful—much earlier than the 25 µM mentioned in the claim, and it wasn’t tested in normal conditions.