TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT FROM THE ROOT OF SCUTELLARIAE RADIX

황금(Scutellariae Radix)의 에타놀추출물과 프랄보노이드 성분들의 독성평가

Flavonoids from Scutellariae Radix possessed a dual function both as an anti-inflammatory agent and an enhancer of cellular activity in gingival fibroblast. The purpose of this study was to evaluate on the toxicity of ethanolic extract from the root of Scutellariae Radix Georgi and its flavonoids, Wogonin, Baicalein, and Baicalin were isolated and purified by the following method. The crude drug was extracted with ethyl acetate and the residue was dissolved in ethyl alcohol. The ethyl alcohol soluble fraction was separated, concentrated, and then chromatographed on a silica gel column. The acute oral LD 50 in rats was determined for EtOH ex. of Scutellariae Radix and three compounds were evaluated with a single oral gavage at three graded dosage levels. The acute intravenous LD 50 was determined with a single intravenous injection via the jugular vein at three graded dosage levels. Groups of 5 male and 5 female rats, 6 week of age at the start of the study, were fed diets containing 3 graded dosage levels for 14 days. Groups of 5 male and 5 female hamster received O.5ml of the test article at once in a day for 5 days to the buccal cheek pouch for two minutes each. The acute oral LD50 for EtOH ex. of Scutellariae Radix is 1430mg/kg, and for Wogonin 1320mg/kg, for Baicalein 1250mg/kg, for Baicalin 1330mg/kg. The acute intravenous toxicity of EtOH ex. of Scutellariae Radix and its extracts was found to be 27mg/kg body weight No toxic effects were observed in rats fed up to 200mg/kg of EtOH ex. of Scutellariae Radix, Wogonin, Baicalein and Baicalin in the diet for 14 days. The acute Mucouse Membrane LD 50 in hamsters was found to be greater than 100mg/kg. These results suggested that EtOH ex. of Scutellariae Radix and its flavonoids are safe for oral care products using limited amount of extract.