Abstract: Objective To investigate the causes of toxicity of Dictamnus Root Bark so as to provide a reference for rational medication. Methods Data mining technology was employed to screen 35 widely circulated and widely recognized works on herbal medicine and formulas published between the Han Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, followed by the retrieval and in-depth analysis of literature on Dictamnus Root Bark. For research on modern literature, keywords including “Dictamnus Root Bark”, “toxicity”, “toxic” and “toxicology” were used to search for literature related to the medication safety of Dictamnus Root Bark published between 2003 and 2025. The results were analyzed in terms of herbal medicine, formulas, modern pharmacological effects, and toxicity of Dictamnus Root Bark. Results Dictamnus Root Bark was cold in nature and bitter in taste, belonging to the meridians of the small intestines, stomach, and urinary bladder, and thus should not be used among patients with deficiency-cold syndrome in lower limbs. In clinic, Dictamnus Root Bark was mostly administered orally as a decoction at a dose of 4-10 g, with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix serving as the preferred compatible medicinal materials for attenuating toxicity and enhancing efficacy. The components responsible for liver injury were dictamnine and limonin. Excessively high dosage or long-term successive administration was likely to induce liver injury. The aqueous decoction of Orychophragmus violaceus seeds (a herbal medicine) and sulfhydryl reagents including glutathione and N-acetylcysteine could effectively mitigate acute liver injury induced by Dictamnus Root Bark. Conclusion Toxic reactions caused by Dictamnus Root Bark are chiefly triggered by inappropriate compatibility, excessively high dosage, and prolonged administration. Adverse reactions can be prevented by controlling the germplasm resources of the medicinal material, adopting appropriate compatibility schemes, selecting rational forms, and regulating the dosage.

Key words: Dictamnus Root Bark, Toxicity, Ancient Literature Records, Modern Research, Data Mining