title: Subchronic Oral Toxicity Study ofAcanthopanax divaricatusvar.albeofructusin Rats.
abstract: Acanthopanax divaricatus(Siebold & Zucc.) Seem. var.albeofructus(ADA), a traditional medical herb, has been used to treat arthritis and muscular injury, to strengthen muscle and bone, and to get vital energy. However, information regarding its toxicity is limited. ADA was administered by oral gavage to groups of rats at doses of 0 (control), 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500, and 3,000 mg/kg five times per week for 13 weeks. Mortality, clinical signs, body weights, food consumption, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, organ weights, necropsy, histopathological finding, vaginal cytology, and sperm morphology were compared between control and ADA-treated groups. Salivation was intermittently observed in both sexes receiving 2,500 and 3,000 mg/kg directly after dosing. Absolute liver weights increased in females receiving 2,000, 2,500, and 3,000 mg/kg ADA (P< 0.05,P< 0.01, andP< 0.01, respectively) and so did the relative liver weights (P< 0.001). Salivation and increased liver weight were ADA-related changes but not considered to be adverse effects. Salivation was intermittent and transient, and the liver weight increase was minor and not accompanied by other changes such as hepatic morphological or functional alterations. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level was determined to be at least 3,000 mg/kg in both sexes of rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Biotoxtech Co., Ltd., Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Myoung Jun
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Chronic Inhalation Toxicity Research Center, Chemicals Toxicity Research Bureau, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Ju
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Chronic Inhalation Toxicity Research Center, Chemicals Toxicity Research Bureau, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Biotoxtech Co., Ltd., Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Biotoxtech Co., Ltd., Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Duyeol
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Biotoxtech Co., Ltd., Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Cheol Beom
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Namseoul University, Cheonan, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Koo
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kang
keywords: Acanthopanax divaricatus (Siebold & Zucc.) Seem. var. albeofructus; NOAEL; Rats; Subchronic toxicity