Abstract
Purpose : To evaluate the effects of Samultang(SMT) on the metals in the dams and fetuses Method : SMT(Decoction) was administered orally using different concentrations to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats for 20days after being assigned randomly to 5 groups. Each group has 11 dams. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at the 20th day of gestation and metal concentration in the dams and fetuses was observed using a ICP-MS and mercury analyzer. Results : Hg concentration in the blood of dams was lower in the $SMT{\times}1$, $SMT{\times}2$, $SMT{\times}4$group than VC(Vehicle Control) and Control group. Hg concentration in the organs of dams was lower in the $SMT{\times}1$, $SMT{\times}2$, $SMT{\times}4$ group than VC, Control group. Whereas Cd concentration in the organs of fetuses was getting lower as increasing SMT dose, Hg concentration in the organs of fetuses was getting higher as increasing SMT dose. Discussion and Conclusion : There were not any significant harmful differences of metal concentration in the dams and fetuses treated by SMT. Particularly, SMT showed the possibility of efficacy to reduce the concentration of Hg in dams but to increase the concentration of Hg in fetuses. The mechanism of reduction is not yet proven. A hypothesis says there is a possibility of the chelation effect between the essential elements of herbs and heavy metals. Another hypothesis is the possibility of Hg transmission from dam to fetus. Further study should be conducted to make guidelines for the safe use of herbal medicine.