Pharmacological evaluation of sedative–hypnotic activity and gastro-intestinal toxicity of Rhizoma Paridis saponins

Rhizoma Paridis saponins (RPS) have been well studied for antimicrobial, anti-hemorrhagic, and anticancer effects. However, scientific information on RPS regarding the toxic and neuropharmacological effects is limited. In this study, the acute oral toxicity, sedative–hypnotic activity and gastro-intestinal toxicity of RPS were investigated. The acute toxicity was carried out by administering single doses (800–5000 mg/kg) of RPS to adult mice. Rotarod test and sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis activity were used to evaluate the neuropharmacological effects on mice. Gastric emptying and intestinal transit were used to investigate the gastric–intestinal system effects. A single oral administration of RPS dose-dependently caused adverse effects on the general behavior and mortality rate of mice. LD50 value of oral acute toxicity was 2182.4 mg/kg, with 95% confidence limit of 1718.4–2807.8 mg/kg. In the test of sleeping mice, RPS acted in synergy with sodium pentobarbital at doses 250 and 500 mg/kg while motor coordination was not influenced within 120 min after treatment with RPS. Regarding the gastric–intestinal toxicity, RPS (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg) significantly inhibited gastric emptying but did not affect the intestinal transit. RPS, which is a hypotoxic anticancer drug, possesses the sedative–hypnotic activity and gastric stimulus side effect.