Table 3 Summary of data about toxicology of thujone
From: Absinthism: a fictitious 19th century syndrome with present impact
| Toxicity data | Reference | |
|---|---|---|
| oral LD50 in rats | 192 mg/kg bw | [66] |
| oral LD50 in rats | 500 mg/kg bw | [107] |
| iv LD50 in rabbits | 0.031 mg/kg bw | [107] |
| NOEL for convulsions in rats | 12.5 mg/kg bw (males) | [108] |
| NOEL for convulsions in rats | 5 mg/kg bw (females), 10 mg/kg bw (males) | [66] |
| NOEL for convulsions in rats | 5 mg/kg bw | [66] |
| TDI (based on NOEL with safety factor of 500) | 10 μg/kg bw/d | [66] |
| Metabolism | 2-,4-, and 7-hydroxylation | [75,76] |
| Mechanism of toxicity | GABA Type A modulation (α-thujone neurotoxicity, convulsant effects) | [72,74,76] |
| Mechanism of toxicity | Porphyrogenicity (determined in cultures of chick embryo liver cells) | [46] |
| Behavioral effects | 5-HT3 receptor modulation, but no conclusive evidence for psychotropic actions of thujone | [77] |