• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.285-292
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• 2013

Ginseng is a well-known traditional medicine used in Asian countries for several thousand years, and it is currently applied to medicine, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements due to its many healing and energygiving properties. It is well demonstrated that ginsenosides, the main ingredient of ginseng, produce a variety of pharmacological and therapeutic effects on central nerve system (CNS) disorders, cardiovascular disease, endocrine secretions, aging, and immune function. Korean red ginseng extract is a dietary supplement containing ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside Rg1 extracted from Panax ginseng. While the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of the extract have been well established, its toxicological properties remain obscure. Thus, four-week oral toxicity studies in rats were conducted to investigate whether Korean red ginseng extract could have a potential toxicity to humans. The test article was administered once daily by oral gavage to four groups of male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at dose levels of 0, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg/day for four weeks. Neither deaths nor clinical symptoms were observed in any group during the experiment. Furthermore, no abnormalities in body weight, food consumption, ophthalmology, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, gross findings, organ weights, or histopathology were revealed related to the administration of the test article in either sex of any dosed group. Therefore, a target organ was not determined in this study, and the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of Korean red ginseng extract was established to be 2,000 mg/kg/day.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2014

A 28-day repeated-dose oral toxicity test was performed to determine the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) and establish an optimum dose of the highly toxic Aconiti Ciliare Tuber (ACT) used as a folk remedy. Repeated oral doses of 1,250, 2,500, and 5,000 mg/kg/day of the hot water extract of ACT were administered to five male and five female Sprague-Dawley rats in each group for 4 weeks. The indicators for toxicity included results of examination of common symptoms and changes in weight and feed intake, eye test, urinalysis, hematological and serum biochemical analyses, and post-mortem weight measurement of organs, and visual inspections. All animals survived at the end of the experiment; in addition, we observed no specific test substance-mediated symptoms. We observed no test substance-mediated changes in body weight and feed intake. We observed statistically significant changes in male OB and pH levels (p<0.05). Further, the biochemical test showed statistically significant changes in the IP value of male rats and $CL^-$valueoffemalerats (p<0.05). However, all changes were within historical data. The post-mortem examinations showed no test substance-mediated changes. Moreover, statistically significant changes under the test conditions were confirmed to have been caused by factors other than the test substance. Thus, the maximum NOEL of ACT extract in rats was estimated to be 5,000 mg/kg/day.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.315-323
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• 2019

Large amounts of sludge produced by paper mill industries represent one of the most serious environmental problems in the world. Recently, beekeepers living in the neighborhood of the paper mill in Hwasan County, Youngcheon city, GB, Korea, became alarmed that honey bee colonies were dying off suddenly across the neighborhood. A preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity (oral, fumigation, repellent) of recycled solid paper mill sludge (SPMS) and leachate paper mill sludge (LPMS) to honey bee workers under laboratory conditions, and to analyze the volatile organic compounds(VOC). The SPMS and LPMS were separately subjected to a liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) at three temperatures to extract VOC(highest VOC yields: 1.52% SPMS and 0.34% LPMS). A total of 70 chemicals were detected in the VOC of paper mill sludges, of which 49 and 21 volatile organic compounds from SPMS and LPMS, respectively. The SPMS was dominated by high degree presence of stanols (saturated sterols), such as cholestanol, cholestan-3-ol and also saturated hydrocarbons. However, LPMS was characterized by the absence of sterols. Both SPMS and LPMS showed an influence on the olfactory behavior of honey bee on Y-tube assay, with repulsion rates of 72 and 68%, respectively. Both SPMS and LPMS at concentration of 100mg/mL caused higher honey bee oral mortality than the untreated controls at 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours after treatment(highest oral mortality at 120 hr: 85.74%(SPMS); 93.51 % (LPMS)). A similar pattern was observed when honey bees were tested to fumigant toxicity. Both SPMS and LPMS caused significant higher mortality than the untreated control 24 hour after the exposure (highest fumigation mortality at 120 hr: 69.4% (SPMS); 56.8% (LPMS)). These preliminary results indicated that paper mill sludge could be partly responsible for sudden death and disappearance of honey bees, especially in hot humid summer days. With climate change, the risk of environmental chemical exposure to honey bee would pose greater attention.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.290-297
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• 2021

Leptolyngbya sp. KIOST-1 (LK1) is a newly isolated cyanobacterium that shows no obvious cytotoxicity and contains high protein content for both human and animal diets. However, only limited information is available on its toxic effects. The purpose of this study was to validate the safety of LK1 powder. Following Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines, a single-dose oral toxicity test in Sprague Dawley rats was performed. Genotoxicity was assessed using a bacterial reverse mutation test with Salmonella typhimurium (strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537) and Escherichia coli WP2 uvrA, an in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test using Chinese hamster lung cells, and an in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test using Hsd:ICR (CD-1) SPF mouse bone marrow. After LK1 administration (2,500 mg/kg), there were no LK1-related body weight changes or necropsy findings. The reverse mutation test showed no increased reverse mutation upon exposure to 5,000 ㎍/plate of the LK1 powder, the maximum tested amount. The chromosome aberration test and micronucleus assay demonstrated no chromosomal abnormalities and genotoxicity, respectively, in the presence of the LK1 powder. The absence of physiological findings and genetic abnormalities suggests that LK1 powder is appropriate as a candidate biomass to be used as a safe food ingredient.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.316-323
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• 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the potential allergenicity and oral toxicity of the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) protein expressed in Zoysia japonica, a herbicide-tolerant genetically modified (GM) zoysiagrass. In silico analysis of PAT showed no similarities with any known allergenic or toxic proteins, with <35% amino acid sequence homology with known allergens across a length of 80 amino acids and no continuous eight amino acid identity with known allergens. The PAT protein expressed in Z. japonica degraded very rapidly in the simulated gastric fluid in the presence of pepsin, and, no glycosylation of PAT was observed. The oral toxicity test revealed no mortality or toxic effect in mice following PAT administration at 4,000 mg/kg body weight. Our findings indicate that the PAT protein expressed in Zoysia japonica does not exhibit allergenic or toxic properties.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.19-25
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• 2024

Objectives : Jeopgoltang (JGT) is a new Korean herbal medicine formulation that is used to treat bone fractures. Although JGT is frequently used in clinical practice, there is a lack of scientific evidence on its safety. This study aimed to evaluate the preclinical toxicity of JGT using a single oral dose toxicity test in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods : Five male and female rats per group were orally administered 1,250, 2,500, or 5,000 mg/kg of JGT after fasting for 12 h. Mortality and changes in clinical signs, body weight, and necropsy findings were monitored for 14 days according to the guidelines of the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Results : No significant clinical signs or mortality were observed after a single administration of up to 5,000 mg/kg. In addition, no significant necropsy findings related to JGT administration were observed. Conclusions: In conclusion, these results suggest that approximate Lethal Dose (ALD) of JGT on SD rats is over 5,000 mg/kg.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.172-177
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• 2015

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cell toxicity due to ion release caused by galvanic corrosion as a result of contact between base metal and titanium. MATERIALS AND METHODS. It was hypothesized that Nickel (Ni)-Chromium (Cr) alloys with different compositions possess different corrosion resistances when contacted with titanium abutment, and therefore in this study, specimens ($10{\times}10{\times}1.5mm$) were fabricated using commercial pure titanium and 3 different types of Ni-Cr alloys (T3, Tilite, Bella bond plus) commonly used for metal ceramic restorations. The specimens were divided into 6 groups according to the composition of Ni-Cr alloy and contact with titanium. The experimental groups were in direct contact with titanium and the control groups were not. After the samples were immersed in the culture medium - Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium[DMEM] for 48 hours, the released metal ions were detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test (P<.05). Mouse L-929 fibroblast cells were used for cell toxicity evaluation. The cell toxicity of specimens was measured by the 3-{4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl}-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Results of MTT assay were statistically analyzed by the two-way ANOVA test (P<.05). Post-hoc multiple comparisons were conducted using Tukey's tests. RESULTS. The amount of metal ions released by galvanic corrosion due to contact between the base metal alloy and titanium was increased in all of the specimens. In the cytotoxicity test, the two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of the alloy type and galvanic corrosion for cytotoxicity (P<.001). The relative cell growth rate (RGR) was decreased further on the groups in contact with titanium (P<.05). CONCLUSION. The release of metal ions was increased by galvanic corrosion due to contact between base metal and titanium, and it can cause adverse effects on the tissue around the implant by inducing cytotoxicity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.102-114
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• 2009

Objectives: HMCO5 is an extract obtained from 8 different herbal mixtures. We undertook a safety evaluation of HMCO5 for a dose range finding (DRF) toxicity test in specific pathogen free (SPF) Sprague-Dawley (SD) male and female rats. Methods: The male and female rats were divided into 4 groups, respectively; G(0), treated with distilled water: G(1), treated with 222 mg/kg HMC05: G(2), treated with 667 mg/kg HMC05, and G(3), treated with 2,000 mg/kg HMC05; HMC05 was administered orally for 4 weeks. The safety evaluation examined clinical signs, mortality, body weight, food consumption, water consumption, ophthalmic findings, urinalysis, hematological values, absolute & relative organ weights, and necropsy findings during the tests. Results: There were no changes in clinical signs, mortality, body weight, food consumption, water consumption, and ophthalmic findings examined during the test periods. In serum biochemical values, triglyceride was increased in male group G(3) and Na$^+$ decreased significantly in male groups G(2), G(3) and G(4). In male group G(4), spleen weight decreased relatively and increases of absolute & relative left ovary weights were found. In addition, an adhesion of liver to diaphragm was found in male group G(2). However, we could not find any dose-interrelationships in these changes. Conclusions: These results indicate that HMC05 extract did not show any toxicity in the DRF toxicity study. Therefore, it suggests that establishment of 1,000, 333 and 111 mg/kg dosages are moderate in a repeated dose 26-week oral toxicity study of HMC05.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.65-72
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• 2009

Objectives : Yukmijihwang-tang (YJT) is known as a tonifying formula for reinforcement of yin deficiency conditions. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential acute toxicity of YJT in ICR male and female mice. Methods : We investigated the acute toxicity about boiling water-extracted YJT. The test article was orally administered once by gavage to 20 male and 20 female mice at dose levels of 0 (control group), 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg body weight. Mortalities, clinical findings, autopsy and body weight changes were monitored daily for the 14 days following the administration according to the Regulation of Korean Food and Drug Administration. Results : We observed survival rates, general toxicity, change of body weight, and autopsy. Single oral administration of YJT with different dosages, no animals died of the test drug. Autopsy of animal revealed no abnormal gross finding. Therefore, $LD_{50}$ value of YJT for ICR mice was more than 5000 mg/kg on oral route. Conclusions : These results suggest that no toxic dose level of YJT in mice is considered to be more than 5000 mg/kg. Consequently, it was concluded that YJT have no effect on acute toxicity and side effect in ICR mice.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.379-387
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the pathogenicity of Paenibacillus (R) polymyxa JB 115 and single oral dose toxicity of culture broth containing (${\beta}$-glucan (CBG-JB 115) produced from P. polymyxa JB 115 in Sprague-Dawely rats of both sexes for 14 days. After oral administration of P. polymyxa JB 115 into rats, we could not find any abnormal clinical signs and variation in the body weight and temperature as compared with control group. We also investigated the acute toxicity of CBG-JB 115. As the results, there were no clinical signs and variance in the body weight and temperature related with CBG-JB 115 in comparison with the control group. From the this experiment, we could not find out any significant pathogenicity and toxicity induced by P. polymyxa JB 115 or by CBG-JB 115. Results of this study demonstrated that consumption of P. polymyxa JB 115 and its culture broth containing (${\beta}$-glucan was not associated with any obvious signs of toxicity in Sprague-Dawely rats even following consumption of large quantities.