Chronic toxicity of both raw and processed Polygoni Multiflori Radix on rats

何首乌对大鼠的长期毒性试验研究（英文）

Recently, adverse effects of Polygoni Multiflori Radix（PMR） and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata（PMRP） have attracted intensive attention worldwide. These adverse effects most occurred in cases with high dose of prolonged medication course. Liver is usually the target organ of these adverse effects. In the present research, we performed in vivo chronic toxicity study and aimed to evaluate relationships between major constituents of water extractions and total anthraquinone of PMR and PMRP and chronic toxicity. SD rats of both sexes were given water extractions as well as total anthraquinone of PMR and PMRP for 12 weeks. We evaluated basic biochemical indexes, conducted microscopic observations of main organs and assessed early indicators of liver and renal fibrosis. Simvastatin, with hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia as its main therapeutic areas, was investigated in our study. Component-toxicity relationships were also discussed. Five male rats died in our study, while all female rats survived, suggesting that some gender differences might be involved. Body weight was significantly changed, and basic biochemical indexes were sporadically occurred during the research. Pathological examinations on liver and kidney showed slight alternations after 12 weeks without dose-dependent relationship. Increase in serum laminin（LN） was observed in almost all male rats, indicating that the risks of liver or kidney fibrosis still existed, especially for males, although no fibrosis was found in the pathological examination of liver and kidney. No major and severe adverse effects were observed after 12 weeks of administration of PMR and PMRP. Regular safety monitoring is still necessary during medication in order to prevent possible risks.

近年来,生、制首乌的不良反应引起了全世界的广泛关注,大多数发生在长期高剂量的药物治疗过程中。肝脏通常是这些不良反应的靶器官。在本研究中,我们进行了体内长期毒性研究,目的是评价生、制首乌水提物及总蒽醌的主要成分和慢性毒性之间的关系。分别给予雌、雄SD大鼠生、制首乌水提物及总蒽醌12周。我们评估了基本的生化指标,对主要脏器进行了显微观察,并对肝、肾纤维化的早期指标进行了评价,同时也对成分-毒性的关系进行了讨论。结果显示,5只雄性大鼠死亡,而所有的雌性大鼠均存活,提示何首乌的不良反应可能存在性别差异。在试验过程中,大鼠体重有显著变化,基本生化指标偶见显著性变化。肝脏和肾脏的病理学检查显示,12周后脏器有轻微的变化,但无剂量依赖性。所有雄性大鼠血清层粘连蛋白浓度均升高,这表明虽然肝脏、肾脏病理学检查并未发现纤维化,但肝、肾纤维化的风险依然存在,特别是对于雄性大鼠。给药12周后,虽然没有观察到明确的严重不良反应,但为了预防可能出现的风险,在何首乌药物治疗期间的日常安全监测仍然是很有必要的。