Toxicity of matrine in Kunming mice

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.