Genetic toxicity and subacute toxicity tests of supercritical CO2 extract of Ligustrum lucidum in rats

Objective To study the safety of supercritical CO² extract of Ligustrum lucidum with a series of gengtic toxicity and subacute toxicity tests.Methods The genetic toxicity was tested with mouse micronucleus test and subacute toxicity test by 30-day feeding test in rats.Results There was no significant difference in the micronucleus test between low,moderate and high dose treated mice and the negative control group(P > 0.05).But compared to that of the positive group,micronucleus rate was significantly different(P < 0.01).In the 30-day feeding test,all rats survived with normal feed intake,body weight and behavioral activity.The results of hematological examination were 6.9-10.0×10¹²/L for white blood cell count,8.23-8.89×10⁹/L for red blood cell count,136.4-140.9 g/L for hemoglobin,and 312.3-330.9×10⁹/L for platelet.The results of biochemical test were 41.8-140.9 μ/L for alanine aminotransferase,50.3-153.0 μ/L for asparate aminotransferase,4.8-5.1 mmol/L for blood urine nitrogen,104.5-109.5 μmol/L for chromium,5.0-5.49 mmol/L for glucose,38.87-40.80 g/L for total protein,1.4-1.5 μmol for total cholesterol,and 0.81-0.87 mmol/L for triglyceride,respectively.The main organ weight and organ coefficient were within the normal range.Pathologi-cal examination showed that high-dose group and the control group had no significant difference(P > 0.05).Conclusion The results of the study indicate that supercritical CO² extract of Ligustrum lucidum has no genetic toxicity and subacute toxicity in rats.