• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.86-93
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the potential toxicity of a recently developed and clinically used No-Pain pharmacopuncture (NPP) solution. We also assessed the lethal dose of the NPP agent following a single intramuscular injection in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Animals were divided into two groups: the NPP test material group and the normal saline control group. A single intramuscular injection of the NPP agent (1.0 mL/animal) was administered to rats of the NPP test material group. The control group rats received the same volume of normal saline. Both female and male rats were included in each group. All rats were monitored for clinical signs and body weight changes for 14 days after administration of the test substance or saline. At the end of the observation period, a gross necropsy was conducted and localized tolerance at the injection site was analyzed. Results: No mortality was observed in the NPP test material and control groups. Moreover, no test substance-related effects were observed on clinical signs, body weight, necropsy findings, and localized tolerance at the injection site. Conclusion: The approximate lethal dose of the NPP agent is greater than 1.0 mL/animal under the conditions used in this study. Additional toxicity evaluations and clinical studies are needed to confirm the safety of NPP use in clinical practice.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.268-275
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• 2022

Objectives: This toxicological study was performed to assess for potential toxicity and to determine the approximate lethal dose of SU-Eohyeol pharmacopuncture (SUEP) following a single intramuscular injection of SUEP into male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: The groups in our experiment consisted of an experimental group treated with SUEP at a dose of 1.0 mL/animal and a control group injected with a normal saline solution, and five male and female rats were placed in each group. Each animal was administered a single intramuscular injection. We monitored all rats for clinical signs and body weight changes for 14 days after administration. At the end of the observation period, the rats were euthanized and autopsied, and localized tolerance examinations were conducted at the site of administration of the test substance. Results: There were no deaths in either sex in the SUEP-treated group. There was no significant difference between the SUEP-treated group and the control group in the clinical signs and weight changes among the rats. In addition, no significant SUEP-related changes were observed on autopsy findings or local tolerance examinations at the injection site by histopathological examination. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the approximate lethal dose of a single intramuscular administration of SUEP in female and male rats under the conditions of this study is greater than 1.0 mL/animal. To determine the safety of the use of SUEP in Korean medical clinical practice, additional toxicity studies will be needed.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-85
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• 2015

Objectives: Radix Ginseng has been traditionally used as an adaptogen that acts on the adrenal cortex and stimulates or relaxes the nervous system to restore emotional and physical balance and to improve well-being in cases of degenerative disease and/or old age. Radix Ginseng has been used for a long time, but the safety of ginseng pharmacopuncture needs testing. This study was done to analyze the single-dose toxicity of water- soluble ginseng pharmacopuncture (GP) intramuscular injections in rats. Methods: All experiments were performed at Biotoxtech, an institution authorized to perform non clinical studies under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Each group contained 10 Sprague-Dawley rats, 5 males and 5 females. GP was prepared in a sterile room at the Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute under regulations of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). GP dosages were 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL for the experimental groups; normal saline was administered to the control group. The animals general condition was examined daily for 14 days, and the rats were weighed on the starting day and at 3, 7 and 14 days after administration of the pharmacopuncture. Hematological and biochemistry tests and autopsies were done to test the toxicological effect of GP after 14 days. This study was performed with approval from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of Biotextech. Results: No deaths were found in this single-dose toxicity test of intramuscular injections of GP, and no significant changes in the general conditions, body weights, hematological and biochemistry tests, and autopsies were observed. The local injection site showed no changes. Based on these results, the lethal dose was assumed to be over 1.0 mL/animal in both sexes. Conclusion: These results suggest that GP is relatively safe. Further studies, including a repeated toxicity test, are needed to provide more concrete evidence for the safety of GP.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 1995

The local irritation studies of DA-3002, an authentic recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), were carried out in rabbits after the following treatment ; application into the conjunctival sac of the eye (single), single subcutaneous and intramuscular injection, 7-day repeated subcutaneous and intramuscular injection. The results obtained were as follows. In the result of ocular irritation test, 0.16% solution of DA-3002 could be considered as a non-irritating material. In single subcutaneous and intramuscular irritation test, the irritancy of 0.16% DA-3002 solution was not so much different from that of saline. The local irritation of DA-3002 by 7-day repeated injection was negligible and similar to that of saline by both subcutaneous and intramuscular routes. These results suggest that DA-3002 has no irritating activity when injected through subcutaneous or intramuscular route for clinical practice as 0.16% solution.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Objectives To evaluate Shinbaro Pharmacopuncture safety through analysis of potential single-dose intramuscular toxicity of Sinbaro Pharmacopucture in SD rats and Beagle dogs. Methods Single-dose intramuscular toxicity of Shinbaro Pharmacopuncture was assessed in accordance with Korea Food and Drug Administration Guidelines for toxicity testing of Medicinal Products. The SD rats were treated intramuscularly with Shinbaro Pharmacopuncture at doses of 0, 4.6, 9.2, and 18.5 mg/kg, respectively. The Beagle dogs were treated intramuscularly with Shinbaro Pharmacopuncture at doses of 2.3, and 4.6 mg/kg, respectively, and after 3 days, the procedure was repeated a second time at doses of 0.6, and 1.2 mg/kg, respectively, for toxicity testing. Mortality, change in body weight, and necropsy findings were examined for the study period. Results There were no mortalities, general symptoms, or body weight changes in the SD rats. While pyelectasis of the left kidney was observed in a male rat in the 4.6 mg/kg administration group, natural occurrence is common, and does not appear to be related with the test substance. No mortalities were observed in the Beagle dogs. In assessment of general symptoms, a female dog in the 9.2 mg/kg group displayed body weight decrease due to leftover food, but the change in body weight was within the normal range seen at 6~7 months, and the necropsy findings were not significant. The toxicity of the test substance appears to be minimal. Conclusions The results suggest that the lethal dose 50 ($LD_{50}$) and approximate lethaldose (ALD) value in single intramuscular administration of Shinbaro Pharmacopuncture in SD rats and Beagle dogs are higher than 18.5 mg/kg.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.42-48
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of the study is to investigate both the single-dose intramuscular injection toxicity and the approximate lethal dose of water-soluble Carthami-flos and Cervi cornu parvum pharmacopuncture (WCFC) in male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: The study was conducted at Biotoxtech Co. according to the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulation and the toxicity test guidelines of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) after approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Dosages for the control, high dose, middle dose and low dose groups were 0.5 mL/animal of saline and 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 mL/animal of WCFC, respectively. WCFC was injected into the muscle of the left femoral region by using a disposable syringe (1 mL, 26 gauge). The general symptoms and mortality were observed 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after the first injection and then daily for 14 days after the injection. The body weights of the SD rats were measured on the day of the injection (before injection) and on the third, seventh, and fourteenth days after the injection. Serum biochemical and hematologic tests, necropsy examinations, and histopathologic examinations at the injection site were performed after the observation period. Results: No deaths, abnormal clinical symptoms, or significant weight changes were observed in either male or female SD rats in the control or the test (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mL/animal) groups during the observation period. No significant differences in hematology and serum biochemistry and no macroscopic abnormalities at necropsy were found. No abnormal reactions at injection sites were noted on the topical tolerance tests. Conclusion: The results of this single-dose toxicity study show that WCFC is safe, its lethal doses in male and female SD rats being estimated to be higher than 0.5 mL/animal.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2015

Objectives To assess the safety of Shinbaro3 Pharmacopuncture by analyzing the potential single-dose intramuscular toxicity of Shinbaro3 Pharmacopuncture at various dose levels in SD (Spraque-Dawley) rats and Beagle dogs. Methods For evaluation of single-dose intramuscular toxicity of Shinbaro3 Pharmacopuncture, 40 SD rats (20 male and 20 famale) and 4 Beagle dogs (2 male and 2 female) were used. The rats were divided in four groups of 10 each, and treated intramuscularly with Shinbaro3 Pharmacopuncture at doses of 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg in distilled water, and distilled water as a vehicle control group, respectively. The Beagle dogs were divided into two groups of 2 each, and treated intramuscularly with Shinbaro3 Pharmacopuncture at doses of 0.15, and 0.3 mg/kg in distilled water, respectively, and signs of toxicity were observed. After a wash-out period of 3 days, the procedure was repeated with Shinbaro3 Pharmacopuncture at doses of 0.6, and 1.2 mg/kg in distilled water, respectively. Mortality, body weight changes, and necropsy findings were examined during the study period. Results There were no mortalities in either the SD rats or Beagle dogs. There were also no significant differences in adverse effects, body weight, or necropsy findings between the Shinbaro3 Pharmacopuncture and control groups. Conclusions There results suggest that the lethal dose 50 ($LD_{50}$) and approximate lethal dose (ALD) value of the test substance Shinbaro3 Pharmacopuncture are higher than 1.2 mg/kg in SD rats and Beagle dogs.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.348-356
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• 2023

Objectives: Neuralgia-pharmacopuncture (NP) was recently developed as a water-soluble type of pharmacopuncture inspired by CS (care special pain)-pharmacopuncture. I aimed to evaluate the toxic response and approximate lethal dose of when NP when administered intramuscularly to Sprague Dawley rats. Methods: The experimental group was divided into the NP test substance group and the saline control group and administered at a dose of 1.0 mL/animal to the posterior thigh muscles on both sides using a 1 mL syringe; each group consisted of five males and five females. Each rat was monitored for clinical signs and changes in body weight for 14 days after a single intramuscular injection. After completing observation, necropsy findings and localized tolerance at the injection site were assessed via gross necropsy and histopathological examination. Results: No deaths occurred in the NP or control group, regardless of sex. During the observation period, no changes (such as general symptoms, weight change, or visual observation results at the time of autopsy) were judged to be due to the test substance. Histopathological examination showed no changes at the administration site judged to be caused by the test substance in either the male or female test substance administration groups. In addition, mononuclear cell infiltration of the outer membrane of the femoris muscle at the administration site was observed at the same frequency and extent in the control and NP groups, and was judged to be caused by physical stimulation by the injection needle; therefore, it had no toxicological significance. Conclusion: Based on the above results, the approximate lethal dose for a single intramuscular administration of the test substance NP in Sprague-Dawley rats was judged to be > 1.0 mL/animal, and there were no findings that were judged to be due to the test substance at the administration site.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.41-45
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze the single-dose toxicity of neutral natured blood stasis pharmacopuncture extracts. Methods: All experiments were conducted at Biotoxtech, an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies, under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen for the pilot study. Doses of neutral natured blood stasis pharmacopuncture extracts, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL, were administered to the experimental group, and the same doses of normal saline solution were administered to the control group. This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. Results: In all 4 groups, no deaths occurred, and the neutral natured blood stasis pharmacopuncture extracts administered by intramuscular (IM) injection was over 1.0 mL/animal. No significant changes in the body weights between the control group and the experimental group were observed. To check for abnormalities in organs and tissues, we used microscopy to examine representative histological sections of each specified organ; the results showed no significant differences in any organs or tissues. Conclusion: The above findings suggest that treatment with neutral natured blood stasis pharmacopuncture extracts is relatively safe. Further studies on this subject should be conducted to yield more concrete evidence.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2014

Objectives: This experiment was conducted to examine the toxicity of Water soluble Carthmi-Flos herbal acupuncture (WCF) by administering a single intramuscular dose of WCF in 6-week-old, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats and to find the lethality dose for WCF. Methods: The experiment was conducted at Biotoxtech according to Good Laboratory Practices under a request by the Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute. This experiment was performed based on the testing standards of "Toxicity Test Standards for Drugs" by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Subjects were divided into 4 groups: 1 control group in which normal saline was administered and 3 test groups in which 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 mL of WCF was administered; a single intramuscular dose was injected into 5 males and 5 females in each group. General symptoms and body weights were observed/measured for 14 days after injection. At the end of the observation period, hematological and clinical chemistry tests were performed, followed by necropsy and histopathological examinations of the injected sections. Results: No mortalities were observed in any group. Also, symptoms, body weight, hematology, clinical chemistry and necropsy were not affected. However, histopathological examination of the injected part in one female in the 1.0-mL group showed infiltration of mononuclear cells and a multi-nucleated giant cell around eosinophilic material. Conclusion: Administration of single intramuscular doses of WCF in 3 groups of rats showed that the approximate lethal dose of WCF for all rats was in excess of 1.0 mL, as no mortalities were observed for injections up to and including 1.0 mL.