An experimental pathological study of acute lei gong teng (Tripterygium wilfordii Hook) intoxication in rats

Abstract

Acute poisoning was induced in rats by single and repeated exposures to the decoction of the root bark of Lei Gong Teng. Pathologic changes in the vital organs were studied by light and electron microscopy, and histochemically. The relatively specific and consistent pathologic changes following poisoning were observed in the lymphoid organs. Varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis in the parenchymatous cells existed in the heart, liver and kidney. The mechanism of toxicological pathologic changes and the relation between clinic and pathology were approached, and we postulate that the decoction possesses cytotoxic action which is analogous to that of immunosuppressive agent.

Keywords

acute Lei Gong Teng poisoning / atrophy of the lymphoid organs / immunosuppressive agent

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