Abstract: Objective ：To explore the preventive effect of triterpenes from Poria cocos on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice. Methods: Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group,  (dimethyl diphenyl bicarboxylate,DDB)  positive control group, and low-, middle- and high-dose treatment groups. Mouse models of liver injury were created by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. The high-, middle- and low-dose treatment groups were orally administered with triterpenes from Poria cocos at doses of 180, 90 mg/(kg · d) and 45 mg/(kg·d), respectively. The positive control group was orally administered with DDB at a dose of 180 mg/(kg·d). Both drugs were separately suspended in 1 g/100 mL CMC-Na solution before administration and given at a level of 0.2 mL/10 g body weight. The normal and model groups were given 0.9% normal saline at a level of 0.2 mL/10 g body weight. The serum AST and ALT activities were determined and liver injury was evaluated by HE staining. Results: Compared with the model group, the three treatment groups showed significantly lower AST and ALT activities. In addition, Poria cocos triterpenes could significantly attenuate liver injury in mice. Conclusion:  Poria cocos triterpenes have obvious protective effect on CCl4-induced liver injury in mice.

Key words: Poria cocos triterpenes, mice, liver injury, carbon tetrachloride, treatment efficacy