Toxicological Research

Korean Society of Toxicology & Korea Environmental Mutagen Society (한국독성학회)
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Single Oral Dose Toxicity Study of Water Extracts of Picrorrhiza Rhizoma In ICR Mice

  • Lee Hyeung-Sik (Department of Herbal Biotechnology, Daegu Haany University) ;
  • Lee Ik-Gu (Department of Herbal Biotechnology, Daegu Haany University) ;
  • Ku Sae-Kwang (Pharmacology & Toxicology Lab., Central Research Laboratories, Dong Wha Pharm. Ind. Co.)
  • Published : 2006.06.01
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Abstract

This study was conducted to obtain the acute information of the oral dose toxicity of lyophilized water extract of Picrorrhiza Rhizoma (PR) - dried underground stem of Picrorrhiza kurroa, having various pharmacological effects, in male and female mice. In order to calculate 50% lethal dose ($LD_{50}$), approximate lethal dose and target organs, test article was administered once by oral gavage to male and female ICR mice at 2000, 1000, 500 and 250 mg/kg. The mortality and changes on body weight, clinical signs and gross observation were monitored during 14 days after dosing with organ weight and histopathology of 12 types of principle organs. As the results, we could not find any mortality, clinical signs, changes in the body weight and gross findings except for hair loss, a significantly (p<0.05) increase of body weight gains in 2000mg/kg of PR extracts-dosing male group and some sporadic gross findings. In addition, no meaningful changes on the organ weight and histopathology of 12 types of principle organs were detected in the present study except for significantly (p<0.05) but dose independent changes on thymus, spleen and popliteal lymph nodes weights, and some sporadic accidental histopathological findings. The results obtained in this study suggest that the PR extract is non-toxic in mice and is therefore likely to be safe for clinical use. The $LD_{50}$ and approximate lethal dose of PR extracts in both female and male mice were considered as over 2000 mg/kg.

Keywords

References

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