Zhang Zhilin, Liu Runzhe, Pu Xiaoping, Sun Yi, Zhao Xin
State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2017 Apr;85:98-107. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2017.02.006. Epub 2017 Feb 10.
Carthamus tinctorius L., or safflower, is an annual herbaceous crop belonging to the family Asteraceae, which is cultivated throughout China and used as a traditional Chinese medicine. Our previous study revealed anti-Parkinson's disease effects of an isolated standardized safflower flavonoid extract (SAFE). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential sub-chronic toxicity of SAFE. Male and female Sprague Dawley rats received three doses of SAFE (100, 300, and 500 mg/kg) q.d. by gavage for four weeks. Body weights were measured during the experiment, and blood samples were collected once per week for hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Major organs were examined after execution and histopathological analyses were performed. Body weight gain in the administration groups showed no decline compared to the control group. However, there were changes in values of aspartate transaminase (p < 0.05), alanine transaminase (p < 0.05), and blood glucose (p < 0.05) between treatments. SAFE influenced parameters related to platelets in rats receiving SAFE for both sexes under different dosages (p < 0.05). No histopathological changes were observed. SAFE might have influence on conglomeration of platelets, transaminases, and blood glucose. SAFE caused no significant toxicity and further studies may be needed to ensure safety of SAFE.
红花（Carthamus tinctorius L.）是一种一年生草本作物，属于菊科，在中国各地均有种植，并被用作传统中药。我们之前的研究揭示了一种分离出的标准化红花黄酮提取物（SAFE）具有抗帕金森病的作用。本研究的目的是评估SAFE的潜在亚慢性毒性。将雄性和雌性Sprague Dawley大鼠分为三组，分别通过灌胃给予三种剂量的SAFE（100、300和500 mg/kg），每日一次，持续四周。在实验过程中测量体重，每周采集一次血样以检测血液学和血清生化参数。处死大鼠后检查主要器官并进行组织病理学分析。给药组的体重增加与对照组相比没有下降。然而，不同处理组之间的天冬氨酸转氨酶（p < 0.05）、丙氨酸转氨酶（p < 0.05）和血糖（p < 0.05）值存在变化。SAFE对不同剂量下接受SAFE的雌雄大鼠与血小板相关的参数有影响（p < 0.05）。未观察到组织病理学变化。SAFE可能对血小板聚集、转氨酶和血糖有影响。SAFE未引起明显毒性，可能需要进一步研究以确保SAFE的安全性。
