Scopoliae rhizoma is a perennial herb which has a similar effect with atropine on the cardiovascular system. It is also known to have a seditive and anticonvulsant activity on the central nerve system. In order to evaluate an acute toxicity of Scopoliae rhizoma, the present study was performed after administration the Scopoliae rhizoma prepared by both decoctional and frozen dried extract through three different routes (oral; 5,000 mg/kg, intraperitoneal; 2,000 mg/kg, subcutaneous; 5,000 mg/kg) to the female ICR mice. In the group treated intraperitoneally with a frozen dried extract, abnormal clinical signs such as decreased activity, crouch, potosis and abnormal walking were observed for 40 rain after administration. With regard to WBC, decreased number of lymphocyte and increased number of monocyte and granulocyte were also observed in the animals received intraperitoneally with Scopoliae rhizoma extract. Taken together, what toxicity of Scopoliae rhizoma was shown differently depending on its type for administration may be resulted in the differency of administered dose. The results provided here support a pharmacological and toxicological consideration for its clinical use in the regard of oriental medicine.
