[Study on acute toxicity test of different processed products of Radix polygalae].
OBJECTIVE
To study the acute toxicity of the water extracts (ERWE) and 60% ethanol extracts (EREE) from different processed products of Radix Polygalae (crude Radix Polygalae, licorice, and honey processed Radix Polygalae), thus providing scientific evidence for toxicity study of Radix Polygalae and its safe clinical application.


METHODS
The ERWE and EREE were prepared from different processed products of Radix Polygalae. Their contents of saponins were respectively determined. The poisoning condition and death of the mice administered with ERWE and EREE by gastrogavage were observed within fourteen days. The modified Karber's method was used to calculate LD50 and 95% confidence interval (CI).


RESULTS
The EREE of licorice processed Radix Polygalae had the maximum toxicity with highest content of saponins, while the ERWE of honey processed Radix Polygalae had the minimum toxicity with lowest content of saponins.


CONCLUSIONS
Different processing methods have effects on the contents of saponins in Radix Polygalae. The experiment showed that the toxicity of Radix Polygalae is in direct proportion to the content of saponins. The higher the saponins contents, the higher the toxicity.
Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091.
Shi-Jie
SJ
Guan
Xiao-Ping
XP
Yan
Jing-Kai
JK
Lin
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D031801:Polygala; D012503:Saponins / Q000633:toxicity*; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute
D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins