Abstract: Objective To explore subacute toxicity of mangiferin,a botanical compound,and to evaluate food safety of mangiferin.Methods Eighty healthy mature Wistar rats of clean grade were randomly divided into low,moderate,and high dose mangiferin groups (10 males and 10 females in each group supplied with feedstuff containing mangiferin of 2.75,5.50,11.00 g/kg) and a control group.After the 30-day treatment,general condition,body weight and food utilization rate of the rats were determined.Routine blood examination and blood biochemical detection of the rats were carried out using automatic biochemistry analyzer.Morphology and pathological changes of main organs were observed.Results The statuses of growth and development,feedstuff and drinking water consumption,and activities were normal and no death was observed for all the rats.For the male rats of control group and low,moderate,and high dose mangiferin treatment groups,the body weight were 280.6 ±18.82,279.3 ±15.55,279.8 ±11.73,and 276.7±19.94 grams;the body weight increment were 189.5 ±17.90,188.7 ±16.69,189.2 ±11.73,and 185.9 ±17.55 grams;and the feedstuff utilization rate were 28.1±3.07%,28.6 ±2.37%,27.9 ±0.60%,and 27.3 ±1.92%;while for the female rats,the body weight were 202.4 ±12.26,204.6 ±17.20,202.1 ±15.12,and 201.3 ±12.30 grams;the body weight increment were 120.5 ±14.50,121.9 ±17.50,120.2 ±18.24,and 121,5 ±15.70 grams;and the feedstuff utilization rate were 22.4±2.60%,20.5 ±8.76%,20.9 ±2.14%,and 21.8 ±1.64,respectively,without obvious differences in all the indicators between the control group and low,moderate,and high dose mangiferin groups for both male and female rats.No obvious changes were observed in indicators of routine blood examination and blood biochemistry,and in coefficients of major organs for all rats of mangiferin groups compared with those of the rats of the control group.No pathological changes were observed in tissue structure of liver,spleen,kidney,testis,and ovary in the rats treated with high dose mangiferin.Conclusion Mangiferin is of no toxic effects on growth and development and main organs of rats when supplied at the dosage of 11.00 g/kg for 30 days.