Toxicity of matrine in Kunming mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the acute toxicity and assess the median lethal dose (LD50) of matrine in Kunming mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Matrine at different doses were administered in Kunming mice via intraperitoneal injection, and the toxic reactions and LD50 of matrine was observed and determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The acute toxicity test of matrine indicated that the tolerable dose of matrine was above 80 mg/kg in Kunming mice, and the LD50 was 157.13 mg/kg (95%CI, 88.08-280.31 mg/kg). Morphological observation revealed degenerative changes of the nerve cells in the brain tissue of the mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The nervous system is the main target organ by the toxicity of matrine.</p>