麻黄-桂枝配伍对麻黄类生物碱、桂皮酸及桂皮醇在大鼠体内药动学的影响

目的建立UPLC-MS/MS法,对麻黄-桂枝药对提取物、单味麻黄提取物和单味桂枝提取物中麻黄类生物碱、桂皮醇及桂皮酸的血浆药动学进行比较研究,探讨中药复方配伍对药效成分体内过程的影响。方法实验大鼠分别灌胃麻黄、桂枝及麻黄-桂枝提取物,测定不同时间点大鼠血浆中麻黄类生物碱、桂皮醇和桂皮酸的浓度,采用DAS3.0软件计算药动学参数,SPSS13.0对两组的药动学参数进行统计分析。结果麻黄-桂枝组中去甲基麻黄碱、去甲基伪麻黄碱、麻黄碱、伪麻黄碱和甲基麻黄碱的达峰浓度(C_(max))均明显大于麻黄组(P<0.05);麻黄-桂枝组中去甲基伪麻黄碱的药时曲线下面积(AUC_(0-t))明显大于麻黄组(P<0.05);麻黄-桂枝组中去甲基麻黄碱、麻黄碱、伪麻黄碱和甲基麻黄碱的平均驻留时间(MRT_(0-t))均明显小于麻黄组(P<0.05);麻黄-桂枝组中去甲基麻黄碱、麻黄碱和甲基麻黄碱的半衰期(T_(1/2z))明显小于麻黄组(P<0.05)。麻黄-桂枝组中桂皮醇、桂皮酸的AUC_(0-t)和MRT_(0-t)均明显大于桂枝组(P<0.05)。结论麻黄与桂枝配伍后,增加了5种麻黄生物碱在体内的吸收浓度,延缓了去甲麻黄碱、麻黄碱、伪麻黄碱和甲基麻黄碱在体内的消除,提高了桂皮醇和桂皮酸的生物利用度。     

LC-Q-TOF-MS和LC-IT-MS分析桂枝麻黄各半汤中化学成分

目的 对桂枝麻黄各半汤中化学成分进行研究。方法 采用液相色谱-四级杆飞行时间质谱(LC-Q-TOF-MS)和液相色谱-离子阱质谱(LC-IT-MS)对桂枝麻黄各半汤提取物进行分析,色谱柱为Zorbax SB-C₁₈ Rapid Resolution HT,流动相为0.05%甲酸水(A)-乙腈(B),梯度洗脱,流速为0.6 mL·min^-1,柱温30 ℃。结合LC-Q-TOF-MS提供的化合物准确相对分子质量和LC-IT-MS分析获得的化合物多级质谱信息,推测鉴定桂枝麻黄各半汤化学成分结构。结果 共推测鉴定了桂枝麻黄各半汤中119个成分,包括26个黄酮、47个三萜皂苷、11个单萜苷、7个生物碱以及28个其他化合物,其中有25个成分经过与对照品比对确认其结构。结论 基本明确了桂枝麻黄各半汤化学成分,为其质量评价及药效物质研究提供了重要参考。     

配伍对麻黄甘草药对中麻黄类生物碱在大鼠体内组织分布的影响

目的：研究麻黄与甘草配伍前后麻黄类生物碱在 SD 大鼠组织分布特点,从药物相互作用角度揭示甘草对麻黄类生物碱组织分布的影响。方法采用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱（ UPLC - MS/ MS）法在多反应监测（MRM）模式下测定麻黄与甘草配伍前后不同时间点大鼠各组织液中麻黄类生物碱的浓度,比较麻黄与甘草配伍前后麻黄类生物碱组织分布的差异。结果与麻黄组相比,麻黄与甘草配伍后,促进了去甲基麻黄碱、麻黄碱和伪麻黄碱在研究组织中的吸收和分布;加快了去甲基麻黄碱、麻黄碱、伪麻黄碱和甲基麻黄碱从脑组织中消除;抑制了去甲基伪麻黄碱在心和脑组织中的吸收和分布,并加快了其从心和脑组织中的消除;不同程度地加快了去甲基麻黄碱从心、肺、肾的消除,加快了麻黄碱从心组织中消除,加快了甲基麻黄碱从肺和肾中的消除。结论麻黄与甘草配伍对麻黄类生物碱在大鼠组织中的分布具有显著的影响。     

附子新型炮制品中乌头类生物碱测定及其强心作用研究

目的 比较附子新型炮制品与传统炮制品中乌头碱类水平及强心作用,为附子炮制工艺改进提供药理学依据。方法 采用高效液相(HPLC)色谱法测定生附子及黑顺片、高温片、高压片、微波片4种附子炮制品及其煎煮液中6种乌头类生物碱水平;应用Langendorff大鼠离体心脏灌流法,测定附子4种炮制品对心率(HR)、左心室收缩压(LVSP)、舒张末压(LVEDP)、左心室内压变化速率(±dp/dt_max)的影响,分析其强心作用。结果 与生附子比较,附子经炮制后,毒性成分双酯型生物碱减低,单酯型生物碱逐渐增加;与黑顺片比较,高压片中生物碱得到最大限度保留,单酯型生物碱水平高于黑顺片,双酯型生物碱水平较低,说明附子高压炮制是一种“低毒高效”的工艺;而高温片和微波片中单、双酯型生物碱水平均有所降低,其成分有一定的流失;4种炮制品煎煮液中6种生物碱溶出率与炮制品中生物碱水平呈正相关。与对照组比较,4种炮制品均能够显著升高离体大鼠心脏的HR、LVSP、±dp/dt_max,降低LVEDP,且呈一定剂量相关性;与黑顺片组比较,3种新型炮制品HR、LVSP、LVEDP、±dp/dt_max均差异不显著;在相同剂量下,高压片中HR、LVSP、±dp/dt_max值最高,LVEDP值较低。结论 附子高压炮制工艺是一种“高效低毒”炮制工艺,且强心作用效果较好。     

微透析法研究麻黄汤对大鼠脑海马区氨基酸类神经递质释放的影响

目的应用微透析技术,研究中医经典方剂——麻黄汤对大鼠脑海马区4种氨基酸类神经递质(谷氨酸Glu、甘氨酸Gly、天冬氨酸Asp、γ-氨基丁酸GABA)释放的影响,并与麻黄药材、麻黄生物碱的作用相对比。方法 SD大鼠分为6组:麻黄汤高剂量组(以麻黄生药计4 g·kg~(-1))、中剂量组(以麻黄生药计2 g·kg~(-1))、低剂量组(以麻黄生药计1 g·kg~(-1))、麻黄药材组(以麻黄生药计2 g·kg~(-1))、麻黄生物碱组(麻黄碱7 mg·kg~(-1)、伪麻黄碱2.4 mg·kg~(-1)、甲基麻黄碱1.12 mg·kg~(-1))以及空白对照组。在动物清醒状态下,微透析采样技术从大鼠脑海马区取样,建立邻苯二甲醛柱前衍生高效液相色谱-电化学法(HPLC-ECD)检测脑透析液中4种神经递质的含量。结果 4种氨基酸类神经递质在28 min内达到良好的分离。麻黄汤各剂量组、麻黄药材组和麻黄生物碱组大鼠脑海马区4种神经递质的含量均增加,与空白对照组比较差异有显著性(P<0.05)。与中剂量麻黄汤组比较,麻黄生物碱组在90 min时明显降低了抑制性氨基酸神经递质Gly和GABA水平。大鼠口服麻黄汤各剂量、麻黄药材水煎液后,海马区兴奋性神经递质Asp和Glu水平呈先增后降的趋势,麻黄汤各剂量组大鼠Glu和Asp水平在给药后90~120 min达峰值,随着麻黄汤给药剂量的增加,Asp和Glu含量亦增加。与中剂量麻黄汤组比较,麻黄水煎液组和麻黄生物碱组Glu水平分别在90 min和150 min达峰值,达峰值时Glu含量均明显增加。结论麻黄汤剂量与Asp、Glu含量的增加呈现一定的正相关性。麻黄汤中其它组分抑制了麻黄和麻黄生物碱升高Glu水平的作用,同时促进了麻黄生物碱对GABA及Gly含量的升高作用。     

肉桂预煎液中有效成分肉桂酸的稳定性研究

目的 建立高效液相色谱-二极管阵列检测器（HPLC-DAD）法测定肉桂预煎液中有效成分肉桂酸的含量,研究不同储存温度和时间对肉桂酸稳定性的影响。方法 采用HPLC-DAD法,色谱柱为Agilent Zorbax C₁₈柱（4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm）,流动相：0.1%甲酸溶液-乙腈（60:40）,比例流速1.0 ml/min,柱温25 ℃;进样量5 μl。检测波长275 nm;肉桂预煎液分别置于低温（4 ℃）、常温（25 ℃）、高温（40 ℃）条件下储存,分别于第0、1、3、7、14、21、30天检测肉桂酸的含量。结果 肉桂酸在该条件下分离良好,在10.21~204.20 μg/ml浓度范围内线性关系良好,其精密度、重复性、稳定性和加样回收率均良好;与储存第0天相比,常温储存21、30 d,高温储存14、21、30 d测得肉桂预煎液中肉桂酸的含量均显著降低（P<0.01）,其他组未发现明显变化（P>0.05）。结论 该HPLC-DAD 法稳定性、重复性好,快速便捷;肉桂代煎液冷藏30 d内有效成分肉桂酸比较稳定。     

孜然挥发油GC-MS指纹图谱的构建及主成分分析和聚类分析

目的 采用GC-MS指纹图谱并结合多元统计等方法评价不同产地孜然质量。方法 采用气相色谱-四极杆飞行时间质谱（GC-Q-TOF/MS）技术对孜然挥发油进行定性和定量分析，建立20批不同产地孜然的指纹图谱；运用"中药色谱指纹图谱相似度评价系统软件（2012年版）"进行相似度评价，并进行聚类分析和主成分分析。结果 建立的指纹图谱确定了33个共有峰，相似度均>0.961，主要成分包括枯茗醛、γ-松油烯-7-醛、α-松油烯-7-醛、γ-松油烯、o-伞花烃、桧烯、枯茗醇、3-p-孟烯-7-醛等，其相对含量约占总含量的99.7%。通过聚类分析可将20批孜然分为5大类。主成分分析得到4个主成分的累积方差贡献率为88.946%，其结果显示S20号样品综合得分较高。主成分分析与聚类分析结果基本一致。结论 该方法特征性强，仪器精密度、重复性和稳定性良好，可用于孜然挥发油及其相关产品的质量控制和评价。     

LC-MS/MS同时测定蓝芩口服液中6种化学成分的含量

目的 采用LC-MS/MS同时测定蓝芩口服液中6种化学成分（绿原酸、栀子苷、黄芩苷、盐酸小檗碱、黄芩素、汉黄芩素）的含量。方法 采用Fortis Xi C₁₈柱（50 mm×2.1 mm,1.7 μm）,以乙腈-0.1%甲酸水溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱,流速0.3 mL·min^-1。质谱采用电喷雾离子源,多反应监测方式进行检测。结果 6个成分在考察的浓度范围内具有良好的线性关系（r>0.999 1）;回收率（n=9）在94.7%~103.3%内,RSD均<3.3%;3个批次的样品测定结果均符合国家标准的要求,但批次间6个成分的含量差异较大。结论 本方法简便、快速、选择性好,灵敏度高,可用于蓝芩口服液的质量控制。     

UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS同时测定金银花饮片中核苷类成分的含量

目的 建立超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱(UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS)法比较研究金银花的水提液中核苷类成分的含量。方法 采用Waters BEH C₁₈（2.1 mm×50 mm,1.7 μm）色谱柱,以乙腈（A）- 0.1%甲酸水（B）为流动相梯度洗脱,流速0.4 mL·min^-1,柱温30 ℃ ,进样量3 μL,电喷雾离子源（ESI）,正离子多反应监测模式（MRM）对金银花的水煎液中核苷类成分的含量进行测定。结果 金银花中共检测出尿嘧啶、鸟嘌呤、黄嘌呤、β-胸苷、尿苷、2’-脱氧腺苷、2’-脱氧鸟苷、肌苷、鸟苷、胸腺嘧啶、腺苷、环磷酸鸟苷等12种核苷类成分,其中鸟苷和尿苷的含量较高,胸腺嘧啶、腺苷、环磷酸鸟苷的含量由于过低而未展示,其余9种核苷类成分在测定质量浓度范围内线性关系良好（r≥0.999 0）,方法精密度、重复性和稳定性的RSD值均小于3.0%,平均加样回收率在99.4%～102.1%,RSD在1.7%～2.7%。结论 该方法准确、可靠,适用于同时测定金银花饮片中核苷类成分的含量,可用于金银花饮片的质量控制。     

蒙药塔布森-2中9种苯丙素类成分在Caco-2细胞中的吸收特性研究

目的 研究蒙药塔布森-2(Tabson-2 decoction,TBD)中苯丙素类成分在Caco-2细胞中的吸收特性,初步阐明TBD的口服吸收机制。方法 采用Caco-2细胞单层细胞模型,通过UPLC-MS/MS分析TBD在Caco-2细胞中的摄取成分,并建立UPLC-MS/MS分析方法测定TBD中吸收最好的9种苯丙素类成分原儿茶酸、新绿原酸、绿原酸、隐绿原酸、1,5-二咖啡酰奎宁酸、异绿原酸C、咖啡酸、二氢咖啡酸、3-羟基肉桂酸在Caco-2细胞中的含量,分别考察时间、浓度和P糖蛋白抑制剂对各成分的吸收影响。结果 研究发现咖啡酸、二氢咖啡酸的总摄取量在0~180 min为上升趋势,未呈现饱和;3-羟基肉桂酸在90 min左右吸收恒定趋于饱和;隐绿原酸、1,5-二咖啡酰奎宁酸、异绿原酸C、新绿原酸、绿原酸、原儿茶酸的摄取量约从90 min开始,随时间的增加先下降后上升。与苯丙素类成分相比,加入P-糖蛋白抑制剂维拉帕米及环孢菌素A后对二氢咖啡酸的吸收产生了影响,说明二氢咖啡酸是P-糖蛋白底物。结论 TBD主要苯丙素类成分进入Caco-2细胞以被动扩散为主,主动转运为辅,且除二氢咖啡酸外其他8个成分的吸收过程不受P-糖蛋白的外排作用影响。     

甘草配伍大戟的体外肝毒性研究

目的 研究甘草和大戟配伍的体外肝毒性。方法 采用显微观察法和MTT法检测不同浓度的甘草单煎液、大戟单煎液、甘草-大戟合煎液和甘草-大戟单煎混合液对人肝癌细胞HepG2增殖的影响,并比较大戟单煎液、甘草-大戟合煎液和甘草-大戟单煎混合液相当浓度下细胞毒性的大小。结果 大戟单用及大戟与甘草配伍均有细胞毒性,且呈剂量相关性;与大戟单煎液相比,甘草-大戟单煎混合液细胞毒性无明显差异,甘草-大戟合煎液细胞毒性减小。结论 甘草和大戟配伍导致大戟的体外肝毒性减小。     

Tricalysiolide G and tricalysiols A and B: rearranged ent-kaurane-type and ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids from the leaves of Tricalysia dubia (Lindl.) Ohwi

Three rearranged ent-kaurane diterpenes with the cafestol-type framework have been isolated from the leaves of Tricalysia dubia. Two were found to be known diterpenoids, tricalysiolides B and C. Tricalysiolide B was isolated as colorless prisms in this experiment and its three-dimensional structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. The remaining diterpenoid was a new compound and was named tricalysiolide G. Two new ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids, given the trivial names tricalysiol A and tricalysiol B, were also isolated. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated from spectroscopic evidence.     

大黄、枳实、厚朴不同炮制品对小承气汤中药效组分的影响

目的研究大黄、枳实、厚朴饮片变化对小承气汤药效组分的影响,以期为临床的合理应用和饮片的质量标准提供参考。方法采用HPLC法分别测定各类成分。大黄游离蒽醌类(芦荟大黄素、大黄酸、大黄素、大黄酚、大黄素甲醚):Syncronis C_(18)色谱柱(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm);流动相:甲醇–0.1%磷酸;梯度洗脱;体积流量0.8 m L/min;柱温30℃;进样量10μL;检测波长254 nm。大黄结合蒽醌类(番泻苷B、番泻苷A):Syncronis C_(18)色谱柱(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm);流动相:乙腈–0.05%磷酸;梯度洗脱;柱温30℃;进样量10μL;检测波长340 nm。枳实黄酮苷类(芸香柚皮苷、柚皮苷、橙皮苷、新橙皮苷):Syncronis C_(18)色谱柱(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm);流动相:乙腈–水;梯度洗脱;体积流量0.7 m L/min;柱温40℃;进样量10μL;检测波长283 nm。厚朴木脂素类成分(和厚朴酚、厚朴酚):Syncronis C_(18)色谱柱(250 mm×4.6mm,5μm);流动相:乙腈–0.05%磷酸;梯度洗脱;体积流量0.7 m L/min;柱温30℃;进样量10μL;检测波长294 nm。结果小承气汤配伍剂量(大黄12 g–炒枳实9 g–姜厚朴6 g)不变,大黄、枳实、厚朴饮片改变时,小承气汤药效组分总量变化规律为:大黄–枳实–姜厚朴酒大黄–炒枳实–姜厚朴熟大黄–炒枳实–姜厚朴大黄炭–炒枳实–姜厚朴≈小承气汤大黄–炒枳实–厚朴,变化率分别为酒大黄组(6.561%)、熟大黄组(4.222%)、大黄炭组(0.118%)、枳实组(30.186%)、厚朴组(-11.218%)。除大黄炭组外,其余组的药效组分总量皆明显变化,其中枳实组变化最明显。结论同一味药材的不同炮制品在小承气汤处方中药效组分不同,对其他药味的影响亦不同,在小承气汤处方配伍中不可随意替代。     

滇南金线兰的植物形态和显微鉴定

目的 对滇南金线兰进行生药鉴定,明确其原植物形态和显微特征。方法 采用生药学鉴定方法,观察滇南金线兰的原植物形态、组织构造及粉末显微特征。结果 叶片呈卵形或卵状披针形,具金红色叶脉,花不倒置,唇瓣黄色,呈Y字形,前部明显扩大并2裂,裂片狭长圆形或狭倒披针形,中部收狭成长10 mm左右、其边缘具狭翅。显微结构中,根、茎横切面中皮层明显,具草酸钙针晶、黏液细胞等;叶横切面上表皮细胞乳突状,下表皮气孔类型多样,以不定式气孔为主。粉末中可见草酸钙针晶和导管。结论 滇南金线兰的生药鉴定为其资源开发利用提供了参考依据。     

蝙蝠蛾拟青霉与冬虫夏草关系的分子系统学研究

以5月和6月两个不同时段采集的分别产于青海省化隆县和四川省康定县的冬虫夏草(Cordyceps sinensis)新鲜子实体为材料，采用分子生物学方法，以rDNA-ITS序列为分子标记，对蝙蝠蛾拟青霉(Paecilomyces hepiali)与冬虫夏草之间的关系进行了探讨。以真菌通用引物ITS1/ITS4分别对蝙蝠蛾拟青霉及冬虫夏草子座和僵虫基因组DNA进行PCR扩增，获得的片段克隆到pMD18-T Vector上进行测序，结果表明，随机挑取的46个克隆与某些已在GenBank中注册的中国被毛孢(Hirsutella sinensis) 或冬虫夏草的rDNA-ITS序列的一致性均在99%以上，但与蝙蝠蛾拟青霉的rDNA-ITS序列的一致性约为72%。根据蝙蝠蛾拟青霉的rDNA-ITS序列设计了两对特异引物，分别以不同产地及不同生长时期共4个批次的冬虫夏草子座和僵虫基因组DNA为模板，进行PCR及巢式PCR扩增，均得到了相应片段，该片段与蝙蝠蛾拟青霉的rDNA-ITS序列具有100%的一致性。在GenBank中注册号为AB067740的另一个标明为冬虫夏草的rDNA-ITS序列与注册号为AJ309353的中国被毛孢的rDNA-ITS序列一致性仅为87.3%，但根据AB067740序列设计特异引物，也从冬虫夏草基因组DNA中扩增到其相应序列。研究结果表明，在天然冬虫夏草中除了中国被毛孢之外，还普遍存在着蝙蝠蛾拟青霉等内寄生菌。     

The effect of Nepeta cataria extract on adherence and enzyme production of Staphylococcus aureus

Nepeta cataria L., commonly known as catnip, is a perennial herb with a considerable folkloric reputation. A diethyl ether extract of this plant has been shown to have antimicrobial activity against fungi and Gram-positive bacteria. The aim of this work was to study the activity of N. cataria extract on 44 Staphylococcus aureus strains, some resistant to methicillin, and S. aureus 6538P (American Type Culture Collection) by evaluating the effect of subminimum inhibitory concentrations on coagulase, DNAse, thermonuclease and lipase production, and on in-vitro adherence. DNAse, thermonuclease and lipase were inhibited by concentrations equal to 1/2 and 1/4 MIC. A reduction of adherence was also observed.     

Hepatoprotective activity of Andrographis Paniculata and Swertia Chirayita

Andrographis paniculata (Family: Acanthaceae) and Swertia chirayita (Family: Gentianaceae) are two controversial medicinal plants used as Kiriyattu, having similar therapeutic action and are used as a hepatoprotective and hepatostimulative agent. A. paniculata grows in southern parts of India and S. chirayita in the Himalayan region. The present work concerns on the ability of the extracts of these plants to offer protection against acute hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (150 mg/kg) in Swiss albino mice. Oral administration of A. paniculata or S. chirayita extract (100–200 mg/kg) offered a significant dose dependent protection against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity as assessed in terms of biochemical and histopathological parameters. The paracetamol induced elevated levels of serum marker enzymes such as serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin in peripheral blood serum and distorted hepatic tissue architecture along with increased levels of lipid peroxides (LPO) and reduction of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver tissue. Administration of the plant extracts after paracetamol insult restored the levels of these parameters to control (untreated) levels. Thus the present study revealed that the extracts of A. paniculata or S. chirayita offered protection against hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol.     

Antibacterial effect of parabens against planktonic and biofilm Streptococcus sobrinus

Tooth decay is an infectious disease caused by bacteria immobilized on the tooth surfaces. Eradication of these bacteria, for example Streptococcus sobrinus (S. sobrinus), from the oral cavity is essential in the prevention and treatment of tooth decay. We have tested the antimicrobial effect of several paraben derivatives such as methyl (MP), ethyl (EP), propyl (PP) and butyl (BP) against immobilized and planktonic S. sobrinus. The antibacterial effect was as follows: MP>EP>PP=BP on immobilized bacteria and MP>EP=PP>BP on planktonic bacteria. An antibacterial synergistic effect was found between several combinations of parabens on immobilized and planktonic S. sobrinus. Our results indicate that parabens are potential antibacterial agents against immobilized or planktonic bacteria found in the oral cavity.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of a chitooligosaccharide mixture against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Streptococcus mutans

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of a chitooligosaccharide mixture (MW 2000–30 000 Da) with a deacetylation degree of 91.5% against two representative oral pathogens, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Streptococcus mutans. A 0.1% concentration of the chitooligosaccharides (derived from the exoskeletons of marine crustaceans) was used to estimate antibacterial activity. Approximately 2 log colony forming units (CFU)/ml of A. actinomycetemcomitans were inactivated by 0.1% chitosan after 30 min, while 120 min exposure inactivated about 4.5 log CFU/ml of this organism. In contrast, the level of inactivation against S. mutans was less than 0.5 log CFU/ml after an exposure of up to 120 min. Electron microscopy showed that the exposure of A. actinomycetemcomitans to the chitooligosaccharides resulted in the disruption of cell membranes and that it could be considered for the treatment of periodontal diseases associated with A. actinomycetemcomitans.     

Toxicity and gastric tolerance of essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum basilicum in Wistar rats

Oils of Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum basilicum are widely used for their medicinal properties, and as food flavours and perfumes. Recently in a study in West Africa, these oils have been recommended to combat Fusarium verticillioides and subsequent fumonisin contamination in stored maize, but their toxicological profile was not investigated. The current study was undertaken to provide data on acute and subacute toxicity as well as on gastric tolerance of these oils in rat. For this purpose, the oils were given by gavage to Wistar rats for 14 consecutive days. The animals were observed daily for their general behaviour and survival, and their visceral organs such as stomach and liver were taken after sacrifice for histological analyses. A dose-dependent effect of the tested oils was observed during the study. Applied at doses generally higher than 1500 mg/kg body weight, the oils caused significant functional damages to stomach and liver of rat. Unlike the other oils, administration of O. gratissimum oil did not result in adverse effects in rat liver at the tested doses. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of the tested oils has been established. The three tested oils can be considered as safe to human when applied on stored maize at recommended concentrations.