• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the potential embryo-fetal toxicity and toxicokinetics of the antimalarial agent artesunate (ARTS) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Pregnant rats were administered ARTS daily from gestational day 6~15 via oral gavage, at test doses of 0, 2, 4, or 8 mg/kg (22 females per group). The fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal abnormalities on gestational day 20. With regard to the dams, there were no deaths, treatment-related clinical signs, changes in body weight, or food intake in any of the treatment groups. There were no treatment-related gross findings at necropsy in any treatment group. In the 8 mg/kg group, there was a decrease in gravid uterine weight and in the weight of female fetuses. There was also an increase in fetal deaths (primarily late resorptions) and an increase in post-implantation losses (37%) at 8 mg/kg. An increase in the incidence of visceral and skeletal variations at 4 and 8 mg/kg was observed. These defects included minor changes in the appearance of the kidney and thymus, as well as absent ribs or thoracic vertebrae. Toxicokinetics were assessed in a parallel study, using 4 mated females per group. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, the concentration of ARTS and its metabolite dihydroartemisinin (DHA) were quantified in plasma from rats on gestational days 5, 6, 10, and 15. Amniotic fluid was assayed for ARTS and DHA on gestational day 15. There was evidence of rapid conversion of ARTS to the metabolite DHA in maternal plasma, since ARTS could not be consistently detected in plasma at the three doses tested. ARTS and DHA were not detected in amniotic fluid at gestational day 15, indicating limited placental transfer of the two agents. The embryo-fetal no-observable-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of the test item was considered to be 8 mg/kg/day for dams, and 2 mg/kg/day for embryo-fetal development.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 2019

Alismatis rhizoma (AR), the dried rhizome of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep, is a well-known, traditional medicine that is used for the various biological activities including as a diuretic, to lower cholesterol and as an anti-inflammatory agent. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential toxicity of the Alismatis rhizoma aqueous extract (ARAE) following 90-day repeated oral administration to Sprague-Dawley rats. ARAE was administered orally to male and female rats for 90 days at 0 (control), 500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day (n = 10 for male and female rats for each dose). Additional recovery groups from the control group and high dose group were observed for a 28-day recovery period. Chromatograms of ARAE detected main compounds with four peaks. Treatment-related effects including an increase in the red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin, total protein, and urine volume were observed in males of the 2,000 mg/kg/day group (p < 0.05). However, the diuretic effect of ARAE was considered, a major cause of hematological and serum biochemical changes. The oral no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of the ARAE was > 2,000 mg/kg/day in both genders, and no target organs were identified.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.474-485
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• 2013

Pharmacological studies and clinical practices have indicated that Radix Astragali, a dried root of Astragalus membranaceus possesses a lot of biological activities, including antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, tonic, diuretic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and immunological activities. These biological activities approved by the modern pharmacological studies are mainly due to the constituents of Astragalus membranaceus including polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, amino acids, and trace elements. In resent, the main constituents in the root part showing a lot of biological activities has been isolated also from the aboveground parts such as leaves and sprouts in our laboratory. However, the safety evaluation for the aboveground parts of Astragalus membranaceus should be checked before expanding their application as one of food. In the study, a 90-day rat oral gavage study has been conducted with the extracts from Astragalus membranaceus-above-ground parts at doses of 1000, 3000, and 5000mg/kg/day. The following endpoints were evaluated: clinical observations, body weight, gross and microscopic pathology, clinical chemistry, and hematology. Based on the analysis of these endpoints, it was estimated that NOEL (no observed effect level) for male rats and NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) for female rats are 5000mg/kg/day of the water-extracts from Astragalus membranaceus-aboveground parts.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2007

Single and repeated-dose toxicity of anti-diabetic herb extract microcapsule (ADHEM) were evaluated according to Toxicity Test Guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration using Sprague-Dawley rats. For single-dose toxicity test, kneading ADHEM with sterilized water were administered orally once at dose levels of 0 and 2,000 mg/kg and examined for 14 days. No dead animals, clinical signs and abnormal necropsy findings were observed and also no significant difference in body weights was found. Therefore, the $LD_{50}$ of ADHEM was considered to be higher than 2,000 mg/kg in both male and female rats. For repeated-dose toxicity test, ADHEM were mixed with powder fodder and administerd orally for 28 days at dose levels of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg/day. No dead animals, clinical signs and significant difference in body weights were found. In hematology and serum biochemistry, all values were included within the normal ranges. In relative organ weights, kidney or liver were significantly increased in the 500, 1000 or 2000 mg/kg/day male groups, uterus was significantly increased in the 500 mg/kg/day female group and left adrenal glands were significantly decreased in the 2000 mg/kg/day female group. In histopathological examinations, vacuolation and microgranuloma in the liver, chronic progressive nephropathy and inflammation in the kidney were observed in the 500, 1000 or 2000 mg/kg/day both male and female groups. Therefore, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of ADHEM was considered to be lower than 500 mg/kg/day in both male and female rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 2004

Weanling male rats of Wistar strain were fed relatively high-calories-diet containing 1% (K$_1$ group), 5% (K$_{5}$ group) and 10% Chinese cabbage kimchi juice (K$_{10}$ group) for 4 weeks to study their effects on body weight gain rate, serum lipids levels and other blood biochemical parameters. In this study it was found out that significant decrease in body weight gain rate, diet efficiency ratio, serum triglyceride level, serum total cholesterol level, blood glucose level and LDL-cholesterol level was observed in $K_{10}$ group as compared to control group fed only high-calories-diet. Significant increase in HDL-cholesterol level, GPT activity, GOT activity and creatinine level was found in $K_{10}$ group as compared to control group. But creatinine level, GPT and GOT activity of $K_{10}$ group were within the normal ranges. The results suggest that long term intake of traditional Chinese cabbage kimchi in large dose have the lowering effect on blood lipid and blood glucose level. There is no possibility of adverse actions on renal and hepatic functions by ordinary intake of Chinese cabbage kimchi in spite of being rich in salt and hot spices such as garlic, onion, ginger and red pepper.r.r.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.132-139
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• 2009

The toxicity test of ammonium persulfate was conducted to ensure of its potential toxic effects according to the single-dose acute oral toxicity study (OECD Guideline 423) and 90-day repeated dose sub-chronic oral toxicity study guideline (OECD Guideline 408) for establishing national chemical management system, and matching in the Globally Harmonized Classification System (GHS) category. In acute oral toxicity study, pasty stool, perineal contamination and temporary body weight decrease were observed after dosing 1st and 2nd challenge (300 mg/kg body weight). All test animals were dead within 6 hours after dosing at 3rd challenge (2000 mg/kg body weight). Therefore, the GHS class of test substance is considered class 4. In sub-chronic toxicity study, body weight changes, food consumptions, hematological, biochemical and pathological examination did not show any noticeable and significant differences between the administered (5, 20, 80 mg/kg body weight) and control (vehicle only) group animals. Based on these results, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) is considered above 80 mg/kg body weight.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 1998

Plasma concentrations of Vitamins E and A were measured in 15 non-insulin dependent Korean female subjects and 15 age-matched normal subjects using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. No differences were found in plasma Vitamin E concentrations between the 2 groups. Plasma Vitamin A concentrations were higher in subjects with non-insulin dependent diabetes melitus (NIDDM). The effects were evaluated of 4 weeks of daily supplementation of 400 mg Vitamin E on plasma levels of these two vitamins. In addition, the effects were observed for Vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress and immune-related compound productions in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients and control subjects. After treatment with Vitamin E, plasma Vitamin E concentrations were significantly elevated in both groups. Basal plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBABS) were identical, and a decreased level of TBARS caused by Vitamin E was observed only in the diabetic group (0.02739$\pm$0.0024 versus 0.01814$\pm$0.0008 nmols malondialdehyde equivalents/dl plasma ; p<0.05). The basal and after-treatment levels of immunoglobulins A, G, M were identical in control and diabetic groups, indicating that Vitamin E did not appear to alter gross humoral responses in this study. However, elevation of Complement 3 ($C_3$) was noticed due to Vitamin E supplementation, revealing a possible effect of vitamin E on one aspect of humoral immunity, Furthermore, an increase in prostaglandin E_2 ($PGE_2$) levels in diabetic patients was normalized by Vitamin E supplementation. This suggests indirectly that the depressed cell-mediated response due to elevated $PGE_2$ could be normalized. For the definitive antioxidant intake recommendations for prevention and treatment of adverse effects of non-insulin dependent diabetes, evidence from intervention trials like this study should be collected. The present data suggests that Vitamin E may oxen some protective effects against oxidative damage and might have beneficial effects of partial immune-stimulation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.614-621
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• 2010

Increasing accuracy of broiler diet formulation based on amino acid digestibility in comparison to application of total amino acids could lead to more feed efficiency and productivity. This experiment was conducted for determination of sampling site (excreta and ileum) and recognition of the effects of a commercial enzyme ($Grind^{(R)}$ Danisco, Finland) on metabolizable energy, protein and amino acid digestibility of barley. This study was modulated by a marker in 21-day old Arbor Acres chickens. Corn-soybean meal was used as a control diet and, in the other two treatments, barley (at a level of 40%) with and without enzyme as the test ingredient were supplemented to the basal diet. Chromic oxide was included in all diets (0.5%) as an indigestible marker. Apparent metabolizable energy (AME), corrected by nitrogen (AMEn) and apparent digestibility of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, glycine, alanine, tyrosine, valine and methionine were significantly (p<0.05) higher in feces than ileum. Protein digestibility of diet and barley was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the ileum than in feces. Apparent digestibility of tryptophan, proline, methionine, phenylalanine and lysine was increased significantly (p<0.05) by enzyme supplementation. In contrast, no response was observed in AME, AMEn, and protein digestibility of the diet and barley by enzyme supplementation. The results of this study have shown that AME and amino acid digestibility were increased in feces, in contrast an adverse effect was observed for protein digestibility of the diet and barley.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2014

The safety of a new natural plant composition (ADP) was assessed on the genotoxicity study and 14-day repeat dose toxicity study. ADP contains a mixed water extract obtained from the mixture of Phellodendron cortex (Phellodendron amurense) and Anemarrhena rhizoma (Anemarrhena asphodeloides), and poses the contractile properties mediated by alpha-adrenoceptor of the prostate and urethra as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In order to evaluate genetic safety, in vivo micronucleus test was performed in ICR mice orally administered with three dose levels of 1250, 2500, 5000 mg/kg body weight, and vehicle and positive control. In the 14 days study, Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with ADP at the dose levels of 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg once a day, and clinical signs, body weights, hematology, serum biochemistry, necropsy findings and organ weights were monitored and examined. In experimental results, ADP treatment, compared with vehicle control, did not induce the micronucleated erythrocytes from mouse bone marrow. In the 14 days study, any significant and toxicological differences in all measurements of parameters were not observed in ADP treatment groups of animals, compared with vehicle treatment. The No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (NOAEL) of ADP in the 14 days study was determined to be greater than 2000 mg/kg/day in both sexes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.137-154
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• 2019

Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial compound used in consumer products. The purpose of current study was to examine toxicology and risk assessment of TCS based on available data. Acute toxicities of oral, transdermal and inhalation routes were low, and phototoxicity and neurotoxicity were not observed. Topical treatment of TCS to animal caused mild irritation. TCS did not induce reproductive and developmental toxicity in rodents. In addition, genotoxicity was not considered based on in vitro and in vivo tests of TCS. It is not classified as a carcinogen in international authorities such as International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). No-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was determined 12 mg/kg bw/day for TCS, based on haematoxicity and reduction of absolute and relative spleen weights in a 104-week oral toxicity study in rats. Percutaneous absorption rate was set as 14%, which was human skin absorption study reported by National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) (2009). The systemic exposure dosage (SED) of TCS has been derived by two scenarios depending on the cosmetics usage of Koreans. The first scenario is the combined use of representative cosmetics and oral care products. The second scenario is the combined use of rinse-off products of cleansing, deodorants, coloring products, and oral care products. SEDs have been calculated as 0.14337 mg/kg bw/day for the first scenario and 0.04733 mg/kg bw/day for the second scenario. As a result, margin of safety (MOS) for the first and second scenarios was estimated to 84 and 253.5, respectively. Based on these results, exposure of TCS contained in rinse-off products, deodorants, and coloring products would not pose a significant health risk when it is used up to 0.3%.