Safety assessment of Gami-daebo-tang gagambang used for treating stroke sequelae

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate wheter Gami-daebo-tang gagambang, commonly used for treating stroke sequelae, induces acute toxicity or genetoxicity.Methods: Gami-daebo-tang gagambang contains that the root of Angelica gigas Nakai inducing acute headache and weakness, and the rhizome of Cnidium officinale MAKINO, an herb with potential teratogenicity. Teratogenicity is closely associated with genotoxicity. We analyzed whether Gami-daebo-tang gagambang induces acute toxicity and genotoxicity in accordance with Korean non-clinical test standards and OECD test guidelines TG471, TG473, TG474.Results: When male and female rats were given a single dose of Gami-daebo-tang gagambang, no toxic effects or organ damage were observed at dosages reaching 2,500 mg/kg. The bacterial reverse mutation assay showed no evidence of DNA mutations at concentrations up to 5,000 μg/plate. In vitro studies indicated that Gami-daebo-tang gagambang did not cause structural or numerical chromosomal aberrations at concentrations as high as 2,000 μg/mL. Moreover, animal studies demonstrated that the substance did not induce bone marrow toxicity or the formation of micronuclei in erythrocytes at doses up to 2,000 mg/kg.Conclusions: The studies conducted with different models showed that Gami-daebo-tang gagambang did not cause acute toxicity or genotoxicity. This study provides evidence for the safety of Gami-daebo-tang gagambang in terms of acute toxicity and genotoxicity, supporting its potential safe application in treating stroke sequelae.