ABSTRACT
Objective: By comparing the acute toxicity of different extracts from Coreopsis tinctoria on mice, combined with the HPLC fingerprint and multiple linear regression to analyze the element which plays the most important role in causing the death of mice, and to provide the safety data for improving the extraction technology. Methods: To measure the maximum dose and maximal tolerance dose (MTD) of all the extracts, to measure the median lethal dose (LD50) by Bliss, and to record the death and weight changes; To measure the fingerprints of the extracts by HPLC, and to determine the element which mostly induced the death of mice by analyzing the absorption peak of the extracts by HPLC fingerprint with multiple linear regression. Results: The extracts include aqueous extract by spray drying (SD), aqueous extract by vacuum drying (VD) process, ethanol extract (ETE), ethyl acetate extracted component (AC), and the ethyl acetate extracted residuum (AR). Among those extracts, the maximum dose of SD and AR is 36 g/kg, the MTD of the VD is 26 g/kg, the LD50 (95% confidence limits) of ETE and AC are 19.565 (17.558-21.734) g/kg and 16.414 (13.987-34.725) g/kg, respectively; Under the high dose situation, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid properly is the component which mostly contributes to the death of mice. Conclusion: Under the high dose situation, the ETE and AC will lead the death, and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid properly is the component which mostly contributes to the death of mice.