• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.276-288
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• 2014

The six polysaccharide fractions were prepared by chromatographic procedure from the hot water extracts of the aboveground parts of Astragalus membranaceus. These six polysaccharides from aboveground parts of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge were tested for gut-mucosal immune activity and acute toxicity. In a view of molecular weight, the six fractions were estimated to be 75000, 88000, 129000 and 345000 Da, respectively. Component sugar analysis indicated that these fractions were mainly consisted of galactose (46.3 ~ 11.8%) and arabinose (35.4 ~ 9.9%) in addition to glucose, rhamnose, fucose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid. Among the six major purified polysaccharides, AMA-1-b-PS2 showed highest bone merrow cell proliferation and lymphocyte of Peyer's patch stimulating activity. It may be concluded that intestinal immune system modulating activity of aboveground parts from Astragalus membranaceus Bunge is caused by polysaccharides having a polygalacturonan moiety with neutral sugars such as arabinose and galactose. In single oral dose toxicity study, no differences were observed between control and treated groups in clinical signs. The results indicated that lethal dose 50 ($LD_{50}$) of water extracts from Astragalus membranaceus-aboveground parts was found to be higher than 5000 mg/kg/day in this experiment. From the above results, we may suggest that Astragalus membranaceus-aboveground parts might have useful as a safe material for functional food and pharmaceutics.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1255-1258
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• 2015

Background: Locally advanced head and neck cancer is generally incurable and has a short survival rate. This study aimed to evaluate symptom relief, disease response, and acute toxicity after palliative hypo-fractionated radiotherapy and long-term survival in affected patients. Materials and Methods: Between January 2011 to December 2011, 80 patients who were histopathologically diagnosed as having stage III or stage IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma based on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 1-3, were offered palliative radiotherapy (20 Gy/5Fr/5 Days). Later these patients were evaluated on 30th day after completion of treatment for disease response based on World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria and palliation of symptoms using symptomatic response grading and acute toxicities by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). Many patients were given post radiation therapy (RT) palliative chemotherapy for appropriate palliative care and a few patients were selected for further curative RT. The overall survival was also evaluated among this group of patients with last follow up date of 1st May, 2014. Results: The most common presenting complaint was pain followed by dysphagia. Most patients (60-70%) had appreciable relief in their presenting symptoms. A good response was observed in the majority following palliative RT; a few patients had progressive disease and some had stable and regressed disease. None of the patients experienced radiation toxicity that required hospital admission. Almost all showed grade one and two acute skin and mucosal toxicity one month after completion of treatment. The mean survival days for patients given only hypofractionated palliative RT was 307 days, those with post palliative RT and palliative chemotherapy was 390 days and patients who went on to receive further palliative RT and curative RT dose had significantly overall survival of 582 days. Conclusions: Advanced head and neck cancer should be identified for suitable palliative hypofractionated radiotherapy to achieve acceptable symptom relief in a great proportion of patients and should be followed by palliative chemotherapy or curative RT in suitable cases for long-term symptom-free survival.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2012

Objectives : Yukmijihwang-tang(Wan), a well-known formula for invigorating yin-particular kidney yin, was first recorded in "Xiao er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue", consisting of Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, Fructus Macrocarpii, Rhizoma Dioscoreae Oppositae, Poria, Rhizoma Alismatis and Cortex Moutan Radicis with dose proportion of 8:4:4:3:3:3. Although clinical trials have been lacking, various pharmacological actions for Yukmijihwang-tang has been identified newly using animal models. In addition, it was reported that Yukmijihwang-tang increases structural chromosome aberrations significantly in Chinese hamster lung cells. In this article, it is purposed that new studies for pharmacology and toxicology of Yukmijihwang-tang are reviewed. Insight into new studies of Yukmijihwang-tang at the cellular and animal levels will enhance our understanding of Yukmijihwang-tang against various diseases will provide new tools to diagnose and treat patients. Methods : Recent researches for Yukmijihwang-tang were reviewed and summarized in terms of pharmacological action and toxicity. All sources for review were based on recent studies loaded on data base of web sites such as Science Direct and National Center for Biotechnology Information. Results and Conclusions : Recently, reports showed that YMJ had antiaging effects, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities, anti-renal hypertension and prevented tumors, and diabetes mellitus. However, there is little information on its safety except general toxicity, acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity, or genotoxicity. In addition, clinical trial for Yukmijihwang-tang was limited even though Yukmijihwang-tang has been used extensively in Korean traditional medicine. Thus, further studies are necessary to focus on safety evaluation and clinical trial for Yukmijihwang-tang.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 1991

For this experiment frist the fermented Soybean Meju was prepared by domestic ordinary method of Korean and concentrated Meju suspensoidal extract was made for toxicological test sample on mice and rat. Even the oral dose of 10g extract per kg of mice had not any acute toxicity. So the median lethal dose(LOD50) is lilely to be much greatr or not to be. In comparison of the average weight gain rate for 4 weeks the control and test groups of 0.308g Ex/rat kg and 9.24g Ex/rat kg daily were the much the same as about 19% but 3.08g Ex/rat kg group waas exceptionally 2.7% higher than control For this period all test groups did not show any abnormality in appearance and anatomic findings. In serum GPT GOT alkaline phosphatase and blood urea nitrogen value there were no difference significantly between control and the test groups of 0.308g/rat kg and 3.08g/rat kg but 9.24g/rat kg group was some what higher than control. Especially in cholesterol alkaline phosphatase and blood urea nitrogen value 9.24g/rat kg group or 28days had 100mg/이 37.5u 32mg/이 respectively which were increased significantly. The pathological findings of all test groups especially 9.24g/kg group did not showed any characterized sign of acute or subacute liver damage or intestine lesion. So it is supposed that there is not any tocixants originated from some molds in fermented Korean domestic Meju which is prepared traditionally in winter.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.343-349
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• 2013

Environment-friendly agro-materials tend to be preferred to chemical insecticides recently. For this reason, many studies are conducted to develop environment-friendly insecticides containing natural materials. The purpose of this study was to assess ecotoxicity for pepper extract and cassia oil (11.5+46%, A), pepper extract and cassia oil (23+34%, B), and pepper extract and lavender oil (40+10%, C). They are expected to prevent from pests especially diamondback moth, and can be used for agro-materials. Their formulation was emusifiable concentration (EC). Target species used to assess acute toxicity were aquatic invertebrate (Daphina magna), fish (Cyprinus carpio), honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) and earthworm (Eisenia fetida). The $EC_{50}$ value of A, B, and C to aquatic invertebrate were 0.46, 1.9, 0.25 mg $L^{-1}$ respectively and these values were moderately toxic according to standard of USEPA. In case of acute toxicity test to fish, the $LC_{50}$ of A, B, and C were 1.9, 2.9, 3.8 mg $L^{-1}$ respectively. A was category II in acute toxicity of fish and not acceptable to evaluation criteria of environment-friendly agro-materials. B and C were category III and acceptable. Acute contact and oral toxicity test to honeybee were conducted and the $LD_{50}$ of A, B, and C were > 100 ${\mu}g$ a.i. $bee^{-1}$ in both of tests. It indicated they were low toxic to honeybee. In case of acute toxicity test to earthworm, $LC_{50}$ of A, B, and C were 695, 988, and 564 mg $kg^{-1}$. In conclusion, pepper extract+cassia oil 57% EC and pepper extract+lavender oil 50% EC were expected to be used for environment-friendly insecticide materials with low risk against ecosystem and contribute to developing environment-friendly agro-materials.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.671-675
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• 1995

The bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica(Ulmaceae) has been described in traditional books to have diuretic and laxative actions, to ameliorate edematous disease, and to be used in insomnia and gastointestinal disorders. Thus this study was carried out to elucidate some of the pharmacological activities of the plant extracts. The results obtained in tills experiment indicated that its methanol extract elicited remarkable inhibition of HCI.ethanol induced gastric lesion, Shay ulceration and gastric secretion. However, it showed no anti-inflammatory action. The acute toxicity of the extract was low, that is, the minimum lethal dose was more than 2000 mg/kg by oral administration in mice. The systematic fractionation of the methanol extract by hexane, ether, ethylacetate and butanol resulted in potent prevention of gastric erosion in butanol and water fractions.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.221-226
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• 1999

In this study, 75% ethanol extract from the flowers of Carthamus tinctorius was prepared and biological activities were examined. The extract showed the inhibitory activity of vascular smooth muscle contraction and antithrombotic activity judged by bleeding time measurement. It also showed anti-inflammatory and potent analgesic activities in vivo. By oral administration of the extract, no acute toxicity was observed up to 5 g/kg in mice and rats. All these results strongly suggest that this extract may be beneficial for postmenopausal disorder by enhancing blood circulation.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.203-225
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• 1997

Jihwangbakhotang(地黃白虎楊) is made by Li Je Ma, the creator of the Four Constitutional Medicine. Single and 13 weeks oral repeated dose toxicity studies were conducted in Sprague Dawley rats of both sexes to elucidate the potential acute and subchronic toxicity of JBT extract and reversibility of any effects. In the single dose study, JBT extract was administered orally to rats with the dose of 2 g/kg and 8 g/kg. In the long term administration of 13 weeks, the JBT extract of 125 mg/kg/day, 500 mg/kg/day, 2000 mg/kg/day was administered to rats. The change of blood weight, urine volume, electrolyte in urine, hematological change, the change of blood chemistry, autopsy finding, and histological observation were researched, the results were as follows; 1. The lethal dose of JBT extract seems to be over 10 g/kg, the single administration of JBT extract 8 g/kg showed no toxical signs except little increase of urine volume. 2. The change of body weight had the trend of decrease in the group of, but has no significance, and also the consumption of food and water had no changes. 3. The hematological changes induced by the 13 weeks administration of JBT extract showed the significance in the item of Hb, MCH, MCV, WBC in the group of 125 mg/kg/day. 4. In the test of blood chemistry, total cholesterol showed little decrease and A/G ratio showed little increase, but the change was not clear, and the standard error was large. So the result was obtained insignificantly and the toxicity of JBT extract was not observed. 5. In the male group after recovery period, the level of cholesterol and triglyceride decreased slightly, but the result was not significant. 6. In the urine test, the little change of electrolyte was appeared, but it seemed not to be the result induced by the toxicity of JBT extract. 7. In each group of male and female rats, the weight change of organ and the serum histological changes was observed, but the result did not showed the dose dependent toxicity. So the toxicity of JBT extract was not regarded. In the conclusion, the toxicity of JBT extract was not observed in the single dose treatment and long term repetitive administration of JBT extract.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.121-126
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• 2013

The present study was carried out to investigate the in vivo single-dose acute toxicity of Leuconostoc citreum GR1 (Leuc. citreum GR1), a lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi, in ICR male and female mice. The test article was orally administered once to both sexes of mice. The mortalities, clinical findings, autopsy findings, and body weight changes were monitored daily for two weeks. The male and female mice were gavaged with Leuc. kimchi GR1 of four doses (625, 1,250. 2,500 and 5,000 mg/kg). The oral $LD_{50}$ of Leuc. citreum GR1 was considered higher than 5,000 mg/kg. No significant changes in the general conditions, body weights, clinical signs and presence of gross lesions were observed in both sexes of mice to whom Leuc. citreum GR1 was administered orally. The results indicated that the 5,000 mg/kg dose of Leuc. citreum GR1 showed no adverse effect.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.350-356
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• 2011

Environment-friendly agro-materials tend to be preferred to chemical insecticides recently. For this reason, many studies were conducted to develop environment-friendly insecticides containing natural materials. The purpose of this study was to assess ecotoxicity for 5 plant essential oils (Thyme white, Clove bud, Cassia, Lavender, Lemon eucalyptus) expected to prevent from pests and be used for agro-materials. Target species used to assess acute toxicity were aquatic invertebrate (Daphina magna), fish (Oryzias latipes), honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) and earthworm (Eisenia fetida). The EC50 value, toxicological responses of thyme white, clove bud, and cassia to Daphina magna were 2.5, 2.8, and $6.9mg\;L^{-1}$ respectively and these values were moderately toxic according to standard of USEPA. $EC_{50}$ of Lavender and lemon eucalyptus were >$10mg\;L^{-1}$ then they were considered as slightly toxicity. In case of acute toxicity test to fish, $LC_{50}$ of thyme white and cassia were 6.7 and $7.5mg\;L^{-1}$ each other. The other plant essential oils indicated $LC_{50}$ >$10mg\;L^{-1}$. Acute contact and oral toxicity test to Honeybee were conducted. As a result, $LD_{50}$ of all essential oils were >$100{\mu}g$ a.i. $bee^{-1}$ in both of tests. In case of acute toxicity test to earthworm, $LC_{50}$ of thyme white, clove bud, cassia, lavender, and lemon eucalyptus were 149, 230, 743, 234, and $635mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. In conclusion, if the safety for earthworm is confirmed, 5 plant essential oils are expected to be use for environment-friendly insecticide materials with low risk against ecosystem and contribute to developing environment-friendly agro-materials.