Abstract: Objective To observe the long-term toxicity of water extract of Fructus Brucea in rats and evaluate its safety of long-term medication. Methods 80 Wistar rats were randomly divided into high dose group, middle dose group,low dose group and normal group. The rats were consecutively drenched water extract of Fructus Brucea for 27 days. The general status of the animals was observed daily in medication duration and body weight, daily appetite, daily water quantity were recorded every 3 days. All animals were sacrificed on the 1 day and 27 day after discontinuation and blood routine, blood biochemistry were detected. Ratio of viscera to body was measured and the major organs were examined by the pathology. Results The diet and weight of rats were lightly reduced after a long time of administration. The blood routine was changed littlely while the activities of ALT, AST and contents of Cr, BUN in Crased. Ratio of heart and kidney to body in Crased also. Analosis of acinus renis and hyalinization of nephric tubule occuered to several rats of high and middle dose groups. Conclusion Obvious nephrotoxicity can be caused to rats by long-term administration of water extract of Fructus Brucea and the toxicity was partial reversible after discontinuation.

Key words: Fructus Brucea, water extract, long-term toxicity, nephrotoxicity