Studies on the Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Ginseng Saponin

인삼사포닌의 급성및 아급성 독성에 관한 연구

Acute toxicities of purified ginseng saponin (PGS) in mice, and sbacute toxicities of PGS in rats were investigated. Average lethal doses ($LD_{50}$) of PGS in male mice were 270mg/kg (i.v.), 342mg/kg (i.p.), 505mg/kg (i.m.), 950mg/kg (s.c.), and more than 5,000mg/kg (p.o.), respectively. Results of subacute toxicity of PGS was as follows. Body weight was markedly increased by administration of PGS 7.7mg/kg but side effects were shown by administration of 77mg/kg and above dose. Especially administration of PGS 240mg/kg caused a marked decrease of albumin/globulin ratio, and 28% increase of urea nitrogen in serum, as well as 33% increase of liver weight/body weight ratio.