• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.52-62
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• 1991

The toxic effect of azalea extract, expecially on cardiovascular system, is relatively unclear. The purpose of this study is to study the possible underlying mechanism and effect of toxic ingredient of azalea on cardiovascular system. The 71 healthy rabbits were divided into 10 groups : In group as preliminary study ; 4cc of normal saline was administered intravenously(N) ; 0.7gm/kg and 1.0gm/kg of azalea extract was administered respectively in the same route, volume(A1, A2) ; atropine was administered intravenously(A) ; after pretreatment with atropine(0.04mg/kg) to block parasympathetic system, azalea extract was injected like the above groups(AA1, AA2) ; normal saline, 0.7gm/kg and 1.0gm/kg of azalea extract were administered respectively with 0.2cc(1 : 1000) epinephrine(E0,E1,E2). We measured the following indices at I minute interval during first 10 minutes and then 10 minute interval during next 30 minutes : RR interval, QTc interval, maximal systolic and diastolic pressure drop with occuring time and presence of significant arrhythmia. The results were as follows : 1. The changes of RR interval, QTc interval were significantly increased in groups by Azalea extract. The blood pressure change was significantly decreased in groups by Azalea extract. There were no significant differences according to dosage of Azalea extract. 2. The changes of RR interval, blood pressure were significant differences between administration of atropine and Azalea extract after pretreatment with atropine, but not in the change of QTc interval. 3. There were no significant differences in the change of RR interval, ATc interval, blood pressure drop according to pretreatment with atropine. 4. The interaction between epineprine and Azalea extract was not noted by the effect of epineprine itself. 5. The ST change by 0.7gm/kg, 1.0gm/kg of Azalea extract was revealed in 1 case(14.0%), 7 case(100%), respectively. 6. Most of all cases with arrhthymia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, were noted in the group by epineprine, except one case by Azalea extract(1.0gm/kg). It was idioventricular rhythm. In conclusion, azalea extract has negative inotropic and chronotropic effect with arrhythmogenic potential possibly through direct myocardial ischemia or injury but we cann't be absolutely exclusive of actions of autonmic nervous system, especially parasympathetic nervous system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.93-100
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• 1989

The effect of each azalea(Rhodoendron mucronulatum) pollen extract on phase I enzyme(aniline hydroxylase)was studied in this experiment. Serum aminotransferases were not changed in mice injected each azalea pollen extract, respectively compared to control group. The hepatic micros mal aniline hydroxylase activities in the presence of each azalea pollen extract were not affected in vitro. After treatment with azalea pollen water extract, hepatic microsomal aniline hydroxylase activity was increased with dose-dependent manner as compared to control group. The increment of hepatic microsmal aniline hydroxylase activity was more powerful by the treatment of water extract. As mice received aniline after pollen butanol and water extract-pretreatment once a day for 5 days, the blood and liver levels of aniline were decreased significantly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.239-246
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• 1989

Preventive effect of azalea pollen extracts against aniline-induced hepatic toxicity in mice was investigated in this experiment. When the biochemical and histological changes were measured, preventive effect was more striking by treatment with water extract. After treatment with azalea pollen extracts, hepatic microsomal aniline hydroxylase activity increased as compared to control. Whereas, aniline level in serum and liver significantly decreased. The Vmax value without affecting Km value increased by the water extract treatment, the results obtained suggest that the characteristics of increase in the aniline hydroxylase activity may include induction of enzyme proteins. These data indicate that the observed preventive effects of azalea pollen extracts against hepatotoxicity is due to the induction of aniline metabolizing enzyme.