Evaluating the safety of forsythin from Forsythia suspensa leaves by acute and sub-chronic oral administration in rodent models

ABSTRACT

Objective To access the toxicity of forsythin from Forsythia suspensa leaves and evaluate its safety. Methods Acute toxicity was determined by oral administration of a single dose of 18 100 mg/kg forsythin in NIH mice. Sub-chronic toxicity was evaluated by oral administration of several doses of forsythin for 30 days at does of 0, 540, 1 620, and 6 480 mg/kg in SD rats. Results In the acute toxicity study, mortality was not observed after 14 days. In addition, clinically relevant adverse effects, or variations in body weight or food consumption were not observed. Similarly, after 30 days in the sub-chronic toxicity study, no mortality or significant toxicological effects such as decreased food consumption, body weight, biochemical parameters and vital organs etc. were noticed. Conclusion The results revealed that the forsythin from Forsythia suspensa leaves has low or no toxicity via oral administration, and therefore is suitable for further development and applications.