This study conducted an acute toxicity assessment using Daphnia magna to evaluate the potential for increased toxicity when pharmaceuticals persist in aquatic environments not as single substances but in mixed forms. In single-substance toxicity tests, the antibiotics clarithromycin and sulfamethoxazole showed EC50 values of 22.3 mg L-1 and 61.05 mg L-1, respectively. However, the EC50 for the mixture of the two substances was determined to be 31.1 mg L-1. Based on these findings, applying the Similar Mode of Action (MOA) equation from the QSAR Toolbox, as recommended by OECD non-testing methods, produced an estimated EC50 of 33.7 mg L-1 for the mixture, showing a difference of 8.5% compared to the experimental value. This study confirms that combined exposure to pharmaceuticals can increase toxicity due to synergistic effects, indicating a significant potential risk to aquatic ecosystems. According to the UN-GHS classification criteria, clarithromycin, sulfamethoxazole, and their mixture were all classified as Category 3, indicating potential toxicity to aquatic organisms. These results emphasize the importance of toxicity assessments that consider interactions between multiple contaminants in real environmental settings, contributing to the development of effective toxicity evaluation and management strategies for the protection of aquatic ecosystems.

아세트아미노펜(acetaminophen, ACT)과 이부프로펜(ibuprofen, IBU)은 수생환경에서 발견되는 대표적인 의약품으로, 다양한 수생생물에서 생물독성영향을 나타내는 것으로 알려져 있으나 이들이 해양생물에 미치는 독성영향은 잘 알려져있지 않다. 이에 본 연구는 ACT 및 IBU가 기수산 물벼룩 Diaphanosoma celebensis에 미치는 급성독성영향 및 해독, 항산화, 탈피 연관 유전자의 발현에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 급성독성시험 결과, ACT 및 IBU는 D. celebensis에 상대적으로 낮은 급성독성영향을 나타냈다 (48-h LC50 ACT: 120.72 mg/L 및 48-h LC50 IBU: 212.23 mg/L). 해독효소 유전자의 발현은 ACT 노출 시 모두 유의하게 감소한 반면 IBU 노출 시 Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 360A8, glutathione S-transferease (GST) theta, 및 ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter B1 유전자의 발현이 증가하였으며, 이는 ACT 및 IBU가 해독 경로에 미치는 영향이 서로 다를 수 있음을 의미한다. 반면 ACT 및 IBU의 노출은 공통적으로 D. celebensis의 항산화 및 탈피 연관 유전자의 발현을 감소시키는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구의 결과는, ACT 및 IBU가 서로 다른 작용기전을 통해 대사될 수 있지만, 공통적으로 해양 동물성플랑크톤의 산화환원 항상성과 생식경로에 잠재적인 독성영향을 나타낼 수 있음을 시사한다.

연어(Oncorhynchus keta)의 초기 생활사 단계에서 아질산성 질소(NO₂--N)에 대한 LC50 값은 시간이 지남에 따라 감소하는 경향을 보였다. Alevin 단계의 96시간 LC50 값은 89.98 mg/L이었고, fry 단계에서는 29.36 mg/L, parr 단계에서는 1.89 mg/L로 측정되어 성장 단계가 진행될수록 아질산성 질소의 독성은 증가하였다. Alevin 단계의 폐사율은 24시간째 아질산성 질소 160 mg/L에서 10%, 240 mg/L에서 56.7%로 나타났고, 72시간째 160 mg/L에서는 90%, 200 mg/L 이상에서는 100%를 기록하였다. 96시간째는 40 mg/L에서 16.7%, 160 mg/L에서는 96.7%의 폐사율이 관찰되었다. Fry 단계의 폐사율은 24시간째 아질산성 질소 30 mg/L에서 3.3%, 50 mg/L에서 56.7%, 60 mg/L에서 83.3%이었으며, 96시간째는 50 mg/L에서 모든 개체가 폐사하였다. Parr 단계의 폐사율은 24시간째 아질산성 질소 1.6 mg/L에서 10%, 6.4 mg/L에서 100%이었고, 48시간째 3.2 mg/L에서 56.7%, 96시간째 3.2 mg/L에서 83.3%, 6.4 mg/L에서는 100%를 보였다. 따라서 alevin 단계는 아질산성 질소의 체내 흡수가 적어 독성 민감성이 낮았으나, fry와 parr 단계로 진행되면서 아가미 발달과 함께 독성이 증가하였으며, 특히 parr 단계에서는 가장 높은 민감성을 보였다.

Velvet antler is widely used as a traditional medicine, and numerous studies have demonstrated its tremendous nutritional and medicinal values including immunity-enhancing effects. This study aimed to investigate different deer velvet extracts (Sample 1: raw extract, Sample 2: dried extract, and Sample 3: freeze-dried extract) for proximate composition, uronic acid, sulfated glycosaminoglycan, sialic acid, collagen levels, and chemical components using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-light mass spectrometry. In addition, we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of the deer velvet extracts on BV2 microglia, HT22 hippocampal cells, HaCaT keratinocytes, and RAW264.7 macrophages using the cell viability MTT assay. Furthermore, we evaluated acute toxicity of the deer velvet extracts at different doses (0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg) administered orally to both male and female ICR mice for 14 d (five mice per group). After treatment, we evaluated general toxicity, survival rate, body weight changes, mortality, clinical signs, and necropsy findings in the experimental mice based on OECD guidelines. The results suggested that in vitro treatment with the evaluated extracts had no cytotoxic effect in HaCaT keratinocytes cells, whereas Sample-2 had a cytotoxic effect at 500 and 1000 μg/mL on HT22 hippocampal cells and RAW264.7 macrophages. Sample 3 was also cytotoxic at concentrations of 500 and 1000 μg/mL to RAW264.7 and BV2 microglial cells. However, the mice treated in vivo with the velvet extracts at doses of 500–2000 mg/kg BW showed no clinical signs, mortality, or necropsy findings, indicating that the LD50 is higher than this dosage. These findings indicate that there were no toxicological abnormalities connected with the deer velvet extract treatment in mice. However, further human and animal studies are needed before sufficient safety information is available to justify its use in humans.

Ethyl formate (EF) is a naturally occurring insecticidal compound and is used to control pests introduced from abroad, in quarantine, by a fumigation method. In particular, it is mainly used as a substitute for methyl bromide and is less toxic to humans and less harmful to plants. This study aimed to investigate the possible acute toxicity of EF to useful organisms, and how to reduce phytotoxicity in watermelon, zucchini, and oriental melon. After fumigation with EF for 2 h, the LC50 values for earthworms, honey bees, and silkworms were 39.9, 7.09, and 17.9 g m-3, respectively. The degree of susceptibility to EF was in the order of earthworms, silkworms, and honey bees based on the LC50 value, and EF fumigation induced stronger acute toxicity to honey bees. Phytotoxicity was observed in watermelon leaves treated with a concentration of 7.5 g m-3 EF, and when treated with a concentration of 10.0 g m-3, it was confirmed that the edges of watermelon leaves were charred and seemed to be damaged by acids. Zucchini and melon, and other cucurbits, showed strong damage to the leaves when treated with a concentration of 10 g m-3, and sodium silicate, at concentrations of 10% and 20%, was used to reduce phytotoxicity. Therefore, acute toxicity towards nontarget organisms and phytotoxicity during the fumigation of EF should be reduced for efficient agricultural pest control.

In this study, the acute toxicity of Dendropanax morbiferus H.Lév leaf hot-water extracts (DMWE) was examined in male and female ICR mice. Mice were orally administered the DMWE at dose levels of 0, 250, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg body weight (BW) for single-dose toxicity test. There were no significant differences in change of BW between control and all DMWE treated-groups. In hematological and blood biochemical analysis, none of the parameters were affected by the DMWE. Similarly, there were no significant effects on markers for liver and kidney functions in all DMWE treated-groups. Since there were no adverse effects of the DMWE in single oral toxicity tests, even at the highest doses, it was concluded that the lethal dose 50 (LD50) of DMWE is estimated at > 2,000 mg/kg BW.

The surfactant, 2-{2-[2-(4-nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}ethan-1-ol, is used in detergents, pesticides, cosmetics, and disinfectants. Since it is found in products that can be inhaled, we evaluated its toxicity to humans upon exposure. A total of 18 rats were exposed to nasal inhalation for 4 hr to determine the acute inhalation toxicity of 2-{2-[2-(4-nonylphenoxy) ethoxy]ethoxy}ethan-1-ol; the exposure concentrations were 5.0, 1.0, and 0.5 mg/L, with three males and three females at each concentration. After the end of the exposure, mortality, general symptoms, and weight changes were observed for 14 days, and autopsy findings were confirmed. The actual concentrations of the test substance in the chamber during the exposure were measured as 3.29, 1.03, and 0.52 mg/L, respectively. The delivered dose was 552.72, 173.04, and 87.36 mg/kg/day for males, and 829.08, 259.56, and 131.04 mg/kg/day for females. As a result of the test in the OECD Test Guideline 436, all animals exposed to a concentration of 3.29 mg/L died; three males and one female died out of six exposed to the 1.0 mg/L concentration. In addition, one died out of six males exposed to a 0.5 mg/L concentration. As a result, 2-{2-[2-(4-nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}ethan-1-ol was considered to be Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Category 2 (> 0.5–1 mg/L).

In this study, the potential toxicity of isoprocarb was demonstrated using zebrafish embryos. We treated isoprocarb (0, 29, and 58 mg/L) to the zebrafish embryos for 72 h then, we estimated morphological changes and apoptotic cell numbers. The increasing extent of apoptosis from the anterior to posterior region of developing zebrafish larvae was correlated with toxicity in the overall development process, including growth and normal organ formation. The appearance of abnormalities in the isoprocarb-treated groups in comparison to normal developing zebrafish larvae was verified using quantitative image analysis based on ImageJ software program. The vascular system comprising a complex interconnection of blood vessels was visualized in vessel-fluorescent transgenic zebrafish (fli1:eGFP). The main vasculature was malformed on isoprocarb treatment, and this was also related to cardiac defects. Taken together, normal embryonic development in zebrafish was interrupted owing to the acute toxicity of isoprocarb.

This study was carried out to investigate the acute oral toxicity of Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtusa) essential oil (CBE) in New Zealand white male and female rabbits. Acute oral treatment with the CBE did not reveal any sign of toxicity or mortality in treated rabbits. The body weight of the rabbits was not affected after a single oral administration of the CBE during the 14-day observation period. In both the hematological and blood biochemical analysis, all parameters of the treated group with 2,000 mg/kg body weight of the CBE were not significantly different than those of the control group. Therefore, the lethal dose 50 of the CBE was estimated to be greater than 2,000 mg/kg body weight in rabbits, which indicated that the CBE is non-toxic. In conclusion, this study suggests that oral administration of the CBE is safe on rabbits.

수은은 다양한 산업활동에 사용되어 해양 환경 내에 지속적으로 유입되며 먹이사슬을 따라 축 적되며 생물체 내로 유입 시 해양 생물의 성장, 발생, 생식, 대사 등에 악영향을 미칠 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 기수산 물벼룩 Diaphanosoma clelbensis에 대한 수은의 급성 독성과 산화적 스 트레스 지표(총 glutathione 함량, GST, GR, GPx 활성)를 이용한 항산화 반응을 조사하였다. 24시 간 수은을 노출시킨 결과 생존율이 농도 의존적으로 감소하는 양상을 보였으며, 24시간 LC50 값은 0.589 mg/l (95% C.I. 0.521~0.655 mg/l)로 나타났다. 수은(0.08과 0.4 mg/l)을 24시간 노출 시킨 D. celebensis에서 총 glutathione 함량은 유의하게 감소하는 양상을 보였으며, GST, GR, GPx 활성은 유의하게 증가하는 양상을 보였다. 이러한 결과는 수은 노출에 의해 D. celebensis 에서 산화적 스트레스가 유도되었음을 의미하며, 이들 산화적 스트레스 지표의 변화는 세포 내에서 방어기전으로 작용하였음을 나타낸다. 본 연구는 D. celebensis에서 수은 독성의 분자 메커니즘을 이해하는데 도움이 되며, 중금속 오염된 해양 생태계 모니터링과 해양 생물의 건 강성 평가에서 이들 분자지표의 활용 가능성을 제시한다.

The present study was carried out to investigate the acute oral toxicity of Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtusa) essential oil in ICR male and female mice. Acute oral treatment with C. obtusa essential oil did not reveal any sign of toxicity or mortality in treated mice. Mouse body weights were not affected after single oral administration of C. obtusa essential oil during the 14-day observation period. In the hematological and blood biochemical analysis, all parameters of the treated group with 2,000 mg/kg body weight of the essential oil were not significantly different those of the control group. Therefore, the lethal dose 50 of the essential oil was estimated to be greater than 2,000 mg/ kg body weight in mice, which indicated that the essential oil is non-toxic. In conclusion, this study suggests that C. obtusa essential oil orally safe ICR mice.

The aim of the study was carried out to investigate a single oral toxicity of a 50% ethanol extract derived from fruiting body of Poria cocus (PCE) using male and female SD rats. Groups consisted of five male and female rats were treated with a single dose of the test substance intragastrically at 0, 5, 50, 300 and 2,000 mg/kg, respectively. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in the body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during the 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy. As the results, we could not find any mortality. Compared with the control group, significant weight change was not observed in the experimental group. Also there was no difference in water and food consumption or gross pathological findings at terminal sacrifice among the groups of rat treated with different doses of the test substance. The results suggested that the approximate lethal dose of ACM in both female and male rats were considered as over 5000 mg/kg.

This study examined the acute toxicity of Vital-Shoot containing reduced glutathione in male and female ICR mice. Mice were intraperitoneally injected the drug at dose levels of 0, 250, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg body weight (BW) for single-dose toxicity test. There were no statistical differences in BW changes between the control and all treated groups. Based on hematological and blood biochemical analyses, the drug did not affect all parameters. In addition, markers for liver and kidney functions did not meaningfully change in all treated groups. Since there were no adverse effects from the drug in a single-dose intraperitoneal toxicity test, it was concluded that the lethal dose 50 (LD50) of Vital-Shoot is estimated to be >2,000 mg/kg BW.

To determine their acute toxicities on the earthworm (Eisenia fetida), six toxic chemicals were evaluated, according to the OECD guideline 207: sulfuric acid, methanol, methylethylketone, nitric acid, formic acid, and toluene. Sulfuric acid exhibited the maximum toxicity. The LC50 values of sulfuric acid, nitric acid, formic acid, and toluene were 20.5, 49.1, 55.5, and 534.5 μg cm-2, respectively. Toluene showed 26-fold lower toxicity than sulfuric acid. In this study, methanol and methylethylketone did not exhibit any toxicity to the earthworm. Further evaluation revealed that nitric acid, formic acid, and toluene exerted a change in the body weight of the chemically treated earthworms, whereas the other chemicals were ineffective. These results can be used for environmental risk assessment, when the chemicals are accidently discharged into the environment.