Objectives : Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen extracts (BE) has been used for various curative effect that remove intense heat from the heart, replenish deficiency Yin, nourish deficiency blood, resolve phlegm. This study was performed to investigate the toxicity of BE to mice according to the administered dosage.
Methods : The experimental groups divided four. Control group treated saline, J1 group treated BE and distilled water in the ratio of 1:15(0.05ml/kg), F2 group treated BE and distilled water in the ratio of 1:7(0.05ml/kg), J3 group treated BE and distilled water in the ratio of 1:17(0.05ml/kg). We administered BE to the mice for 24 weeks at interval of 48 hours, and investigated the body weight, changes in hematological profile, activities of the transaminase(GOT, GPT) and two hepatic antioxidant enzyme(SOD, catalase), and histological changes of the liver and kidney.
Results : Leukocytes of J3 group were increased in the administered for 12 weeks, but decreased in the administered for 24 weeks. Platelets were decreased about 36% in J3 group treated for 12 weeks, but increased about 50% in the same group treated for 24 weeks. Blood total proteins were decreased slightly in the all experimental groups compared with control group. The activities of the transaminase and superoxide dismutase(SOD) were increased, but decreased activities of catalase in the J2 and J3 groups administered for 12 or 24 weeks. In the light microscopical observation, ballooned and injured hepatocytes in portal vein area of J1 group occurred, and dilated hepatocytes and disoriented sinusoid observed in J2 group administered extracts to mice for 24 weeks. Apoptosis occured in the ballooned and injured hepatocytes of the portal vein area in J3 group. A agglutination of RBC in glomerular capsule of the kidney observed in the J2 group, and destructed convoluted tubule observed in the J3 group treated for 24 weeks.
Conclusions : These results indicate that mice treated with high dose BE develop a hematological changes, dysfuncton of the liver and kidney.
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