title: Single Intramuscular-dose Toxicity of Samgihwalryeok-Pharmacopuncture in Sprague-Dawley Rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to examine the single-dose toxicity of Samgihwalryeok pharmacopuncture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty six-week-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups of 10 rats each; each group was then sub-divided into two smaller groups, one of five males and the other of five females. Group 1 (G1, control) received 1.0 mL of normal saline solution, while group 2 (G2, low-dose group), group 3 (G3, mid-does group, and group 4 (G4, high-dose group) received 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mL of Samgihwalryeok pharmacopuncture, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No mortalities or clinical signs were observed in the four groups. Also, no significant changes in body weights were observed among the group, and no significant differences in hematology/biochemistry, necropsy, or histopathology results were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The above findings suggest that treatment with Samgihwalryeok pharmacopuncture is relatively safe. Further studies on this subject are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, Wonkwang Gwangju Oriental Medical Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Meridians & Acupoints, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ahn
keywords: Samgihwalryeok pharmacopuncture; acupuncture; pharmacopuncture; single toxicity test