Acute and subacute toxicity studies on triptolide and triptolide-loaded polymeric micelles following intravenous administration in rodents

•The LD50 of mice treated with TP-PM was 1.06mg/kg, 22% higher than that of TP.•Rat testis was the most sensitive toxicity target organ for TP.•TP showed obvious immunotoxicity, especially damaged to the spleen.•TP-PM significantly increased SOD activities and decreased MDA levels in serum.•Polymeric micelle may be an effective drug carrier to reduce the toxicities of TP.