These obscrvations were performed to investigate the safety of the natural herbs (Rhus-lI) in respect of genotoxicity. This substance was examined in two in-vitro tests : (1) Salmonella typhinurium reversion assay (Ames test) in strain TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535 and TA 1537, (2) in vitro chromosome aberration test in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. In the reverse mutation test, Rhus-II did not induced mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium reversion assay(Ames test) with or without metabolic activation. In the chromosome aberration assay using CHO cells. there was no increased incidence of structural and numerical aberrations with or without metabolic activation. `these results indicated that, the Rhus-II had no genotoxicity.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate differences in the sensitizing potential of Rhus Veniciflua(Rhus-II), when tested by the guinea pig maximization test(GPMT) and Freund's complete adjuvant test(FCAT) with an identical, intradermal induction concentration. A new grading. classification of the sensitization potential is proposed. The GPMT was conducted according to OECD guideline #406, using a multiple-dose design and test results were analysed with logistic regression analysis. During the induction stage, we injected intradermally each three site 0.1 ml( 1mg/animal) test material. 0.1ml complete Freund's adjuvant and 0.1ml the test agent emulsified in the adjuvant. 7 days later, we induced weak sensitization with 10% sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS) and applide 1ml(10mg/animal) test agent topically on the same site and made a tight occlusion. 14 days later we challenged with 1ml(10mg/animal) of test material on the flank and observed ant 24 hours and 48 hours later. The results were also observed 0% at 24 hours challenge. The results observed 48 hours after challenge were the identical. These data indicated that. although Rhus-II is a no contact allergen. It was reported that the skin sensitization by Rhus-II was not detected the skin sensitization in the guinea pig maximization test (GPMT). Consequently, it was confirmed that Rhus-Il had no contact allergic sensitization in guinea pig maximization test.

The purpose of this study was to examine the four week repeated toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats orally administrated with Rhus-II (water fraction of Rhus Veniciflua). In acute toxicity test, three groups (40 rats of both sex) were administrated different dosages of Rhus-II, 2 g/kg (high dosage group), 1 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg and one group (10 rats of both sex) were received by orally only saline according to the Regulation on Korea Food and Drug Administration, respectively. There was no difference in body weight change, feed intake and water consumption among different dose groups. There was no alteration in relative organ weight by the administration of Rhus-Il. No death of abnormal clinical signs was observed during the experimental period. Between the groups orally administered Rhus-II and the control group. there was no statistical significance in urinalysis, hematological test or serum biochemical values. There were no gross findings at final sacrifice. There was no evidence of histopathological alteration mediated by four week treatment with Rhus-ll. These results suggest that no observable effect level(NOEL) of the test orally administration was considered to be more than 2g/kg in rats under the conditions employed in this study.