Preclinical Safety Pharmacology Studies of Taiwanofungus camphoratus Extract

Taiwanofungus camphoratus is a unique mushroom that only grows in Taiwan. It has been used as fold medicine for a long history. Recent studies have demonstrated T. camphoratus possessed multiple pharmacological effects including anti-cancer, hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects. T. camphoratus extract was composed of extracts from cutlog cultivated fruiting body and solid-state culture of T. camphoratus. This article presents the testing results of T. camphoratus extract in in vitro hERG assay and in vivo safety pharmacology studies on central nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Results 1) The hERG transfected HEK293 cells were treated with T. camphoratus extract at concentrations of 5, 10 and 25 µg/mL showed no significant effect on hERG current. 2) T. camphoratus extract was found to have no significant effects on central nervous and respiratory systems of male rats and female rats at oral doses up to 3400 mg/kg and 1700 mg/kg, respectively. 3) Beagle dogs received T. camphoratus extract orally up to the dosage of 1000 mg/kg did not cause physiological abnormalities on cardiovascular system. Accordingly, these results provided the safety information of T. camphoratus extract for human consumption.