• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.209-220
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was performed to suggest how to re-establish criterion for toxic substances under the Chemical Control Act (CCA) in South Korea by comparing the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals) score and toxic properties. Methods: Toxic substances were classified into seven groups (Acute toxicity (1A), Chronic toxicity (2C), Environmental hazards (3E), Acute toxicity & chronic toxicity (4AC), Chronic toxicity & environmental hazards (5CE), Acute toxicity & environmental hazards (6AE), and Acute toxicity & chronic toxicity & environmental hazards (7ACE)) according to their toxic properties. The GHS score was calculated to sum up five toxicity indicators (health acute toxicity, health repeated toxicity, carcinogenicity, health other chronic toxicity and environmental hazards). Results: The GHS score of 7ACE was higher by 7 times that of 1A. 1A is the only group which has lower than the total GHS score. The highest score was 47, for sodium chromate (CAS no. 7775-11-3), which belongs to group 7ACE. This is classified as acute toxicity, carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, and acute and chronic environmental hazard. On the other hand, the lowest score was 2.75, which was assigned to 177 chemicals belonging to group 1A. When the health acute toxicity indicator was omitted from the toxic criterion, toxic substances could be divided into the sub-groups 'human chronic hazards group' (HCG) and 'environmental hazards group' (EG) according to their GHS score and properties. Conclusions: The proposed criterion for toxic substances is to establish sub-groups defined as HCG and EG for separate control and that the 1A group be moved to substances requiring preparation for accidents under the CCA.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.132-139
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• 2009

The toxicity test of ammonium persulfate was conducted to ensure of its potential toxic effects according to the single-dose acute oral toxicity study (OECD Guideline 423) and 90-day repeated dose sub-chronic oral toxicity study guideline (OECD Guideline 408) for establishing national chemical management system, and matching in the Globally Harmonized Classification System (GHS) category. In acute oral toxicity study, pasty stool, perineal contamination and temporary body weight decrease were observed after dosing 1st and 2nd challenge (300 mg/kg body weight). All test animals were dead within 6 hours after dosing at 3rd challenge (2000 mg/kg body weight). Therefore, the GHS class of test substance is considered class 4. In sub-chronic toxicity study, body weight changes, food consumptions, hematological, biochemical and pathological examination did not show any noticeable and significant differences between the administered (5, 20, 80 mg/kg body weight) and control (vehicle only) group animals. Based on these results, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) is considered above 80 mg/kg body weight.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 1996

This study was conducted to investigate the antitoxic effects of Radix Menispermi extracts against cadmium toxicity. The experimental rats were divided into 5 groups such as control group, cadmium alone treatment group and simultaneous treatment groups of cadmium and three doses of Radix Menispermi extracts. Each group was administered with different dose of Radix Menispermi extracts such as 0.55 mg, 1.10 mg, 1.65 mg/kg wet weight in pallets for 12 weeks. Cadmium Chloride $(CdCl_2)$ was administered by 4 mg/kg body weight. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The simultaneous administration of cadmium and Radix Menispermi significantly more decreased cadmium concentration in liver tissues compared to the administration of cadmium only (P < 0.05). 2. When blood were measured, no significantly difference in haemoglobin, haematocrit, erythrocyte values compared to the administration of cadmium only. 3. The simultaneous administration of cadmium and Radix Menispermi more increased metallothionein concentration in liver than the administration of cadmium only (P < 0.05). 4. There were the histopathological slight changes in the liver and kidney tissues of rats.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.25-37
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• 2008

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate sub-chronic toxicity of scolopendrid pharmacopuncture in mouse and method of increasing output of scolopendrid pharmacopuncture. Methods In order to prove the clinical safety of scolopendrid pharmacopuncture during 90 days, We have observed the physical reaction(side effect) and clinical pathology test after scolopendrid pharmacopuncture treatment and investigated method of increasing Output of scolopendrid pharmacopuncture for 90%, 80%, 70% ethanol. Results In subchronic toxicity test, there was no significant sign in clinical sign, opthalmological values, body weights, hematological values and urinalysis values. And we could see that food consumptions and water consumptions increased significantly, albumin, triglycerides, GPT in blood chemical values and Liver, Testis(right) in organ weights changed significantly in some groups, compared with those in the S1 group. But these changes were observed within the scope of physiology. So there was no sign of toxication in subchronic toxicity test, and we can tell that NOAEL(No Observed Adverse Effect Level) is above 0.286mg/kg/day. And 70% ethanol solution of scolopendrid was yielded the most amount of substance. Conclusions This study demonstrates that scolopendrid pharmacopuncture is to treatment of safety for a long time and we can obtain much amount from 70% ethanol solution of scolopendrid.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2023

Objectives: Moroccan Arbutus unedo is an essential medicinal plant; however, little is known about the biological properties of its leaves mentioned in Moroccan traditional medicine. Methods: Various standard experiments were performed to evaluate the phytochemical, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and acute and sub-chronic toxicity characteristics of A. unedo leaves. Results: Phytochemical screening led to the identification of several phytochemical classes, including tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and anthraquinones, with high concentrations of polyphenols (31.83 ± 0.29 mg GAEs/g extract) and flavonoids (16.66 ± 1.47 mg REs/g extract). Further, the mineral analysis revealed high levels of calcium and potassium. A. unedo extract demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities by inhibiting α-amylase (1.350 ± 0.32 g/mL) and α-glucosidase (0.099 ± 1.21 g/mL) compared to the reference drug Acarbose. Also, the methanolic extract of the plant exhibited significantly higher antibacterial activity than the aqueous extract. Precisely, three of the four examined bacterial strains exhibited substantial susceptibility to the methanolic extract . Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values indicated that A. unedo harbor abundant bactericidal compounds. For toxicological studies, mice were administered with A. unedo aqueous extract at single doses of 2,000 and 5,000 mg/kg. They did not exhibit significant abnormal behavior, toxic symptoms, or death during the 14-day acute toxicity test and the 90-day sub-chronic toxicity test periods. The general behavior, body weight, and hematological and biochemical status of the rats were assessed, revealing no toxicological symptoms or clinically significant changes in biological markers observed in the mice models, except hypoglycemia, after 90 days of daily dose administration. Conclusion: The study highlighted several biological advantages of A. unedo leaves without toxic effects in short-term application. Our findings suggest that conducting more comprehensive and extensive in vivo investigations is of utmost importance to identify molecules that can be formulated into pharmaceuticals in the future.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2017

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) is used in many types of biocidal products including tableware, carpets, humidifiers, and swimming pools, etc. In spite of increased chances of DDAC exposure through inhalation, studies on the inhalation toxicity of DDAC are not common even though the toxicity of DDAC might be significantly higher if it were to be administered through routes other than the respiratory system. DDAC aerosols were exposed to Sprague-Dawley rats in whole body exposure chambers for a duration of 13 weeks. The Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameters of the DDAC aerosol were $0.63{\mu}m$, $0.81{\mu}m$, and $1.65{\mu}m$, and the geometric standard deviations were 1.62, 1.65, and 1.65 in the low ($0.11{\pm}0.06mg/m^3$), the middle ($0.36{\pm}0.20mg/m^3$) and the high ($1.41{\pm}0.71mg/m^3$) exposure groups, respectively. Body weight was confirmed to be clearly influenced by exposure to DDAC and mean body weight was approximately 35% lower in the high ($1.41{\pm}0.71mg/m^3$) male group and 15% lower in the high ($1.41{\pm}0.71mg/m^3$) female group compared to that of the control group. In the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid assay, the levels of albumin and lactate dehydrogenase had no effect on DDAC exposure. The lung weight increased for the middle ($0.36{\pm}0.20mg/m^3$) and the high ($1.41{\pm}0.71mg/m^3$) concentrations of the DDAC exposure group, and inflammatory cell infiltration and interstitial pneumonia were partially observed in the lungs of the middle ($0.36{\pm}0.20mg/m^3$) and the high ($1.41{\pm}0.71mg/m^3$) exposure groups. However, severe histopathological symptoms, including proteinosis and/or fibrosis, were not found. Based on the results of the changes in the body weight and lung weight, it is considered that the NOAEL (no-observed adverse effect) level for the 13-week exposure duration is $0.11mg/m^3$.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.508-516
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• 2019

Objectives: The present study was performed to obtain acute toxicity information on glyoxal in male rats after intratracheal instillation. Methods: In order to calculate the LD₅₀ of glyoxal using Probit analysis with SAS, the test article was one intratracheal instillation to male Sprague-Dawley rats at dose levels of 0, 225, 451 or 902 mg/kg. During the test period, mortality, clinical signs, and body and organ weights were examined. At the end of the 14-day observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete gross postmortem and histopathological examinations were performed. Results: Four animals of the 902 mg/kg group died within one week after the administration of glyoxal. All treatment group in a dose dependent manner, decreased body weight was found during the study period. The absolute and relative lung weight, and histopathological changes (bronchiolar-alveolar hyperplasia, chronic inflammation) of lung exhibited an increased in glyoxal treated groups in a dose dependent manner. However, there were no changes on the organ weights and histopathological changes of any other organ except lung. Conclusions: The results obtained in the present study suggest that the LD₅₀ in male Sprague-Dawley rats after a single intratracheal instillation of glyoxal was considered to be 866.9 mg/kg and the lung was found to be the target organ for glyoxal.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.717-724
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• 2020

Background: Malignant arrhythmias require drug therapy. However, most of the currently available antiarrhythmic drugs have significant side effects. Ginsenoside Rg2 exhibits excellent cardioprotective effects and appears to be a promising candidate for cardiovascular drug development. So far, the oral toxicity and antiarrhythmic effects of Rg2 have not been evaluated. Methods: Acute oral toxicity of Rg2 was assessed by the Limit Test method in mice. Subchronic oral toxicity was determined by repeated dose 28-day toxicity study in rats. Antiarrhythmic activities of Rg2 were evaluated in calcium chloride-induced arrhythmic rats. Antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 was investigated in arrhythmic rats and H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Results: The results of toxicity studies indicated that Rg2 exhibited no single-dose (10 g/kg) acute oral toxicity. And 28-day repeated dose treatment with Rg2 (1.75, 3.5 and 5 g/kg/d) demonstrated minimal, if any, subchronic toxicity. Serum biochemical examination showed that total cholesterol in the high-dose cohort was dramatically decreased, whereas prothrombin time was increased at Day 28, suggesting that Rg2 might regulate lipid metabolism and have a potential anticoagulant effect. Moreover, pretreatment with Rg2 showed antiarrhythmic effects on the rat model of calcium chloride induced arrhythmia, in terms of the reduced duration time, mortality, and incidence of malignant arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 might be the inhibition of calcium influx through L-type calcium channels by suppressing the phosphorylation of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Conclusion: Our findings support the development of Rg2 as a promising antiarrhythmic drug with fewer side effects for clinical use.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.2 s.49
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• pp.109-121
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• 2005

A chemical ranking and scoring (CRS-Korea) system was developed and proposed to use as the first step to prioritize the toxic chemicals for the purpose of monitoring and detailed risk assessment that might follow as necessary. The CRS-Korea system takes a basic concept of risk assessment (both human health risk and ecological risk) in that risk score is determined by the product of toxicity score and exposure score. Included in the toxicity category are acute toxicity, chronic/sub -chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, and other toxicity. The exposure category consists of quantity released to the environment, bioconcentration, and persistence. A consistent scheme and a comprehensive chemical data base are offered in the CRS-Korea system to calculate a score for the each component in the two categories by using specific physicochemical, fate, and toxic properties and the quantity of the chemical used. The toxicity score is obtained by adding up all the individual scores for the components in the toxicity category. The exposure score is determined by multiplication of the score of the quantity released with the sum of persistent score and bioconcentration score. Equal weight is given to the toxicity score and the exposure score. As the CRS-Korea system was applied to identify 50 national priority chemicals, it was found that significant data gap exists on toxicity and fate properties and that the uncertainty associated with estimating the quantify released to the environment is notably high. The proposed CRS system is only a screening tool in the first step toward the priority setting and should be used with expert judgement and other considerations necessary.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.74-82
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• 2009

Pharmacological investigations were carried out with aqueous methanolic extract (AME) of Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq. (Meliaceae) leaves. Acute toxicity studies revealed that the $LD_{50}$ dose of AME was 600 mg/kg, i.p. AME was found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute, sub-chronic and chronic models of inflammation. AME selectively inhibited cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 activity, which is involved in arachidonic acid metabolism and biosynthesis of prostaglandins under inflammatory conditions. Treatment with AME significantly enhanced total peritoneal cell count and the number of macrophages in normal mice, which revealed that AME may also alter the immune response along with its anti-inflammatory effect. The saponins or the alkaloids present in AME may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity.