title: Toxicity of Single-dose Intramuscular Injection of Samjeong Pharmacopuncture in Sprague-Dawley Rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was carried out in order to find both the single-dose intramuscular injection toxicity and the approximate lethal dose of samjeong pharmacopuncture (SP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The SD rats in this study were divided into four groups, one control group (1.0 mL/animal, normal saline) and three experimental groups (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mL/animal, SP). All groups consisted of five male and five female rats. SP was injected as a single-dose intramuscularly at the thigh. After the injection, general symptoms and weight were observed for 14 days. After the observations had ended, hematologic and serum biochemical examinations, necropsy and a local tolerance test at the injection site were performed. The experiments were carried out at the Good Laboratory Practice firm, Biotoxtech Co. (Cheongwon, Chungbuk). Animal experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee (Approval Number: 130379).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No deaths occurred in any of the three experimental groups. The injection of SP had no effects on the general symptoms, body weights, results of the hematologic, and serum biochemical examinations, and necropsy findings. In local tolerance tests at the injection sites, mild inflammation was observed in the experimental group, but it did not appear to be a treatment related effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Under the conditions of this test, the results from the injection of SP suggest that the approximate lethal dose of SP is above 1.0 mL/animal for both male and female SD rats. Therefore, the clinical use of SP is thought to be safe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, and Dermatology, Korean Medicine Hospital, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, and Dermatology, Korean Medicine Hospital, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Chul-Yun
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, and Dermatology, Korean Medicine Hospital, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Nam-Kwen
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Sangji University College of Korean Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, and Dermatology, Korean Medicine Hospital, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung-Sik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Seo
keywords: injection; intramuscular; lethal dose; pharmacopuncture; samjeong; single-dose toxicity test