Abstract:

Objective: To explore the protective effect of triterpene compounds from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz)
Baill rattan (TFSCBR) against acute alcohol liver injury in mice. Methods: Acute alcoholic liver injury model was
induced by 56% Beijing Red Star Erguotou liquor. Totally 60 Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups
of 10 mice each: normal group, alcohol model group, oleanolic acid (positive control, 30 mg/(kg·d)) group, and triterpenoid
low, middle and high dose (10, 30 mg/(kg·d) and 50 mg/(kg·d)) groups. The normal group and alcohol model group were
administered with an equal volume of normal saline. After 4 weeks of administration, the levels of serum alanine transaminase
(ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and liver malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and super oxid edismutase (SOD)
were assayed. Results: TFSCBR treatment at the dose of 30 mg/(kg·d) significantly reduced the elevation of AST, ALT
and MDA (P ＜ 0.01), and significantly inhibited the decrease of SOD activity and GSH level (P ＜ 0.01) in mice
suffering from liver injury. Furthermore, hepatic pathological changes were attenuated or even reversed. Conclusion:
TFSCBR treatment at the dose of 30 mg/(kg·d) has a significant hepatoprotective effect against alcohol-induced liver
injury in mice.

Key words: triterpenoid from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz) Baill rattan, mouse, alcohol-induced liver injury