Ethnopharmacological relevance
Bojungikki-tang is a traditional herbal medicine used to boost immunity and reduce fatigue. However, there is not enough scientific evidence about its toxicological safety profile to support its continued clinical application.
Aim of the study
The objective of this study was to investigate the subchronic toxicity profile of Bojungikki-tang water extract (BITW) in Sprague Dawley rats who were exposed to it in multiple doses and various concentrations.
Materials and methods
BITW was administered to rats orally, once daily at doses of 0, 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks. We checked toxicological parameters including general observations, organ/body weights, food consumption, ophthalmological signs, hematological and serum biochemical values, urinalysis values and histopathological findings.
Results
The 13 week repeated oral administration of BITW to rats at doses at doses levels of less than or equal to 2000 mg/kg/day caused no significant toxicological changes and only minor nonsignificant changes.
Conclusions
Our findings indicate that administration of BITW for up to 13 weeks may be safe and nontoxic, with a no-observed-adverse-effect-level of >2000 mg/kg/day for both male and female rats.
… Chemical Co. (Osaka, Japan). Nodakenin and hesperidin were purchased from
NPC Bio Technology Inc. (Yeongi, Republic of Korea) and Chengdu Biopurify
Phytochemicals Ltd. (Chengdu, China), respectively. The purity of …
