Protective activity of Jiang-Zhi-Li-Gan against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in mice

Abstract

The administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) to mice produced hepatotoxicity, showing a significant increase in the serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Mice pretreated with Jiang-Zhi-Li-Gan (JZLG, 100–900 mg/kg, p.o.), a domestic remedy for liver disease in Rui-Jin Hospital, showed a significant decrease in serum ALT and AST levels when compared to the group treated with CCl₄ alone. The standard drug, bifendate (200 mg/kg, p.o.), also exhibited similar results. In the acute toxicity study, JZLG did not show any mortality up to a dose of 32 g/kg body weight. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that JZLG seems to possess hepatoprotective activity in mice. These results support the use of this prescription against chemical hepatic injury.

Keywords::

• Carbon tetrachloride
• CCl₄
• chemical hepatic injury
• hepatoprotective
• Jiang-Zhi-Li-Gan

Declaration of interest: This work was supported by grant 2006Y002A (to Q.Z.) from the Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau.