The Biological Effects of Rhus (Japanese lacquer sap) on Rats

Won, Tai Hyok; Seo, Phil Seung; Park, Seok Don

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Exposure to Rhus (Japanese lacquer) can cause many adverse effects such as contact dermatitis, pruritus, rash and even hepatitis in human, and these effects can be caused by contact or ingestion of Japanese lacquer. Many Koreans currently eat Japanese lacquer boiled with chicken although it has many side effects. Koreans believe that Rhus will improve their health. However, they don't known its adverse effects, and there is no experimental report on this topic.
OBJECTIVE
The principle objective of this study was to gather evidence on the toxicity and negative effects of Japanese lacquer through an experimental study with rats.
METHODS
A total of 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were included in the study; 30 rats (experimental group) were given 0.1 ml of Japanese lacquer sap extract, water and food, and 30 rats (control group) were given only food and water. The WBC, the Hgb, ALT, AST, BUN and creatinine levels, the presence of pruritis and skin eruption, the skin biopsy findings and the liver biopsy findings were all checked at 5, 10, and 15 days.
RESULTS
The rats that were given Japanese lacquer sap showed a higher WBC and higher ALT and AST levels and only these rats demonstrated erythroderma (5th day: 30%, 10th day: 40%, 15th day: 70%). In addition, they exhibited frequently scratching behavior. On histological examination of the skin of the rats given Rhus, dermal edema and mild inflammatory cell infiltration were found. On histological examination of the liver of the rats given Rhus, there was no significant change as compared with the rats that weren't given lacquer.
CONCLUSION
In this experimental study, it was proven that Rhus could induce pruritis, erythroderma, skin inflammation and hepatotoxicity.