Evaluation of the subacute toxicity of Yongdamsagan-tang, a traditional herbal formula, in Crl:CD Sprague Dawley rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Yongdamsagan-tang, a traditional herbal formula, is used widely for the treatment of inflammatory and viral diseases. However, the safety of Yongdamsagan-tang has not been established.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the subacute toxicity of Yongdamsagan-tang water extract (YSTE) in Crl:CD Sprague Dawley rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated the subacute toxicity of YSTE in male and female Crl:CD Sprague Dawley rats (n = 5 per group). Rats were treated with YSTE at doses of 0, 1000, 2000 and 5000 mg/kg administered once a day by oral gavage for 4 weeks.

RESULTS

There were no significant changes in mortality, body weight, food intake, serum biochemistry, or results of hematology and urinalysis after YSTE administration. However, all rats treated with 5000 mg/kg/day YSTE exhibited excessive salivation and discolored urine. Necropsy findings showed discoloration in the liver of both male (n = 1) and female (n = 3) rats treated with 5000 mg/kg/day YSTE, and an increase in the relative weights of kidney and liver was also found in male rats treated with 5000 mg/kg/day. In addition, decreases in serum creatinine, total bilirubin, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were observed in male rats treated with 2000 or 5000 mg/kg/day YSTE.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormalities in some rats are considered to be independent of YSTE toxicity. Therefore, the results suggest that oral administration of YSTE in rats for 4 weeks is safe at doses of up to 5000 mg/kg/day.