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 18100 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, 1620, and 6480 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.