Comparative study on acute toxicity of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection and sodium danshensu in mice

Objective To observe and compare the acute toxicity of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection and sodium danshensu in mice,and to explore the mechanism and toxic components of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection.Methods Forty mice were randomized into 4 groups.The mice received an intravenous or intraperitoneal infusion of sodium danshensu or Salvia miltiorrhiza injection(equal to Danshensu 0.28 g/kg)in 4 groups,respectively.Mortality of mice in each group was recorded,then visceral organs were taken out for pathological examination.And the toxicities of two injections were compared.Results No mice died in sodium danshensu group,while all mice died in the group with intravenous injection of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection,and 50% of mice died in the group with intraperitoneal injection of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection.Bleeding or congestion was observed in organs like liver,kidney,intestine and lung by pathological examination.Conclusion Sodium danshensu may be not the main toxic component in Salvia miltiorrhiza injection.Overdose of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection might cause death.