title: Toxicity of a novel anti-tumor agent 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3: a 26-week intramuscular repeated administration study in rats.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential subchronic toxicity of 20(S)-Ginsenoside Rg3(Rg3), by a 26-week repeated intramuscular administration in rats. Rg3 was administrated to rats at dose levels of 0, 4.2, 10.0 or 20.0 mg/kg/day. There was no treatment-related mortality and, at the scheduled autopsy, dose-dependent increases in the absolute and relative spleen weights, of both the 10.0 mg/kg and 20.0 mg/kg dose groups were observed. Absolute and relative kidney weights were significantly elevated in the female 10.0 mg/kg dose group and in the male 20.0 mg/kg dose group. Hematological investigations revealed a dose-dependent increase in the total white blood cell (WBC) count and in the percentage of neutrophils, but a decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes, in rats treated with doses of 10.0/20.0 mg/kg. These effects were completely reversible during the recovery period, and no other adverse effects were observed. It was concluded that the 26-week repeated intramuscular dose of Rg3 caused increases in the spleen and kidney weights, WBC counts and in the percentage of neutrophils, but a decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes, with doses of 10.0 or 20.0 mg/kg/day. The no-observed-adverse-effect level for rats was considered to be 4.2 mg/kg/day.
authors: Institute of Frontier Medical Science of Jilin University, ChangChun, Jilin 130021, China.
authors: J-P
authors: JP
authors: Liu
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Lu
authors: Richard C
authors: RC
authors: Nicholson
authors: W-J
authors: WJ
authors: Zhao
authors: P-Y
authors: PY
authors: Li
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D001835:Body Weight; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012737:Sex Factors; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D036145:Ginsenosides; C097367:ginsenoside Rg3