Acute oral dose toxicity studies of fermented Platycodon grandiflorus powder in Sprague-Dawley rats and Beagle dogs

Platycodon grandiflorus, called balloon flower, is a species of herbaceous flowering perennial plant of the family Campanulaceae and inhabits East Asia (Korea, China, Japan and the Russian Far East). The traditional use of balloon flower root is to promote healthy lung function, to remove phlegm from the lungs, and to treat diarrhea and other inflammatory diseases in Korea [1]. We intend to develop a health functional food of fermented Platycodon grandiflorus powder, which helps improve the condition of the skin caused by immune overreaction. The fermentation-derived bioactive substance is expected to reduce itching by suppressing the secretion of inflammation mediators in mast cells [2] and to induce Th1 immunity by suppressing the Th2 immune overreaction [3]. However it’s not known whether the excessive intake of the fermented powder causes toxic effects. The present study was carried out to evaluate the acute toxicity of the fermented Platycodon grandiflorus powder following single oral administration to Sprague-Dawley rats and beagle dogs. Rats and dogs were administered single dose at dose levels of 0, 750, 1500 and 3000 mg / kg by oral gavage or capsule. In the rat and dog studies, there were no abnormal changes in mortality, clinical sign, body weight, food consumption, hematology, clinical chemistry and macroscopic finding following administration. Based on these results, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was considered over 3000 mg / kg under this study condition. Also, we suggest a dose level of 3000 mg / kg be recommended as a high dose in repeat toxicity studies for the acceptable daily intake (ADI).

• References

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