Objective: To investigate the acute toxicity and assess the median lethal dose (LD50) of matrine in Kunming mice.
Methods: Matrine at different doses were administered in Kunming mice via intraperitoneal injection, and the toxic reactions and LD50 of matrine was observed and determined.
Results: 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.
Conclusion: The nervous system is the main target organ by the toxicity of matrine.