“Dong trung ha thao Sapa” (DTHT) capsules, prepared from Cordyceps militaris powder, are intended to be used in relieving menopausal signs and symptoms. The current study aimed to evaluate the estrogenic properties of DTHT capsules on experimental animals. Female mice from 6 to 8 weeks were used for the study. Mice were divided into the following groups: group I - normal control without being ovariectomized (saline-treated); group II to V were ovariectomized, group II (saline-treated); group III (Ethinyl estradiol-treated), group IV (low dose DTHT capsules) and group V (high dose DTHT capsules). The potential effect of DTHT capsules was evaluated by measuring both the wet and blotted uterus weights. The uterus was then fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, HE(Haematoxylin & Eosin) stained and examined histopathologically. The results suggest that DTHT capsules show estrogenic activity in ovariectomized mice by increasing wet uterus and blotted uterus weight and improving the uterus’s histology. DTHT capsules appear to be an effective therapeutic drug for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

The present study aimed to investigate the sub-chronic toxicity of “Phong thap dan” (PTD) tablets through oral administration in experimental animal. The sub-chronic toxicity was evaluated by the WHO recommendation in Wistar rats at doses of 0.72 g/kg/day (equal to recommended human dose) and 2.16 g/kg/day (3 times as high as recommended human dose). In the sub-chronic experimental group, the PTD was administered orally daily for 8 consecutive weeks. In the evaluation of sub-chronic toxicity, there were no behavioral and physiological change or sign of toxicity. The result of the hematological and biological parameters after administration of PTD tablets showed no change. The histopathology analysis of livers and kidneys indicated that no significant difference was observed between the exposed and unexposed rat groups. In conclusion, “Phong thap dan” tablets did not produce sub-chronic toxicity in Wistar rats.

“Kien nao dan” (KND) tablet is composed of 13 traditional medicines that may has preventive and effective treatment of cerebral ischemia. However, there are no scientific reports of its toxicological properties which guarantee of the safety its usage treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the sub-chronic toxicity of KND tablet on rats through oral administration. The sub-chronic toxicity was evaluated by the recommendation of WHO in Wistar rats at doses of 0.72 g/kg/day (equal to recommended human dose) and 2.16 g/kg/day (3 times as high as recommended human dose) for 8 consecutive weeks. In the evaluation of sub-chronic toxicity, there were no behavioral and physiological changes or signs of toxicity. The result of the hematological and biological parameters after administration of KND tablets showed no change. The histopathologic analysis of livers and kidneys indicated that no significant differences were observed between the exposed and unexposed rat groups. In conclusion, “Kien nao dan” tablets did not produce sub-chronic toxicity in Wistar rats.

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The purpose of this research is to evaluate the acute and subchronic toxicities of DA DAI TRANG HVD capsules through oral administration in experimental animals. The acute toxicity was determined by the method of Litchfield Wilcoxon in Swiss mice. The subchronic toxicity was evaluated by the recommendation of WHO and OECD in Wistar rats with oral doses of 1.44 g/kg/day (equal to recommended human dose) and 4.32 g/kg/day (3 times as high as recommended human dose) in 4 consecutive weeks. As a result, DA DAI TRANG HVD capsules at the highest dose used for mice (99.9 g materials/kg) did not express acute toxicity in mice. In term of the subchonic toxicity test, DA DAI TRANG HVD had no deleterious effect on hematological parameters, hepato-renal functions, macroscopic and microscopic images of livers and kidneys of rats. In conclusion, DA DAI TRANG HVD capsules did not produce the acute and subchronic toxicities in Swiss mice and Wistar rats.