Toxicity of D, L-mandelonitrile-beta-D-glucoside, "prulaurasin" in rat

Toxicity of cyanogenetic glucoside was studied with rats using synthesized D, L-mandelonitrile-beta-D-glucoside. Considering from blood cyanide level, the cause of death was presumed to be cyanide intoxication. Hydrolysis of cyanogenetic glucoside occurred mainly in small and large intestines. Cyanide level in the intestine seemed to be independent of the amount of glucoside present. LD50 value was calculated to 560 mg/kg but good dose dependent result was not obtained. Relatively rapid absorption of the glucoside from the gastrointestinal tract was observed with the highest absorption rate of 53.4% within 165 min. About 30-45% of the administered glucoside was excreted within 24 hr without alteration and dose dependence appeared in an excreted ratio. The ratio of D-mandelonitrile-beta-D-glucoside to L-form excreted in the urine or remained in the gastrointestinal tract was almost in the same as at administration, and hence biological behaviors, such as absorption, excretion and hydrolysis, of both D- and L-forms of glucoside were almost the same.