THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ALSTONIA-SCHOLARIS R-BR ON HEPATOTOXIN-INDUCED ACUTE LIVER-DAMAGE

The hepatoprotective effect of Alstonia scholaris R. Br. on liver inju ries induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), beta-D-galactosamine, ace taminophen and ethanol were investigated by means of serum-biochemical and histopathological examinations. Post treatment of A scholar-is re duced dose-dependently the elevation of serum transaminases level and histopathological changes such as cell necrosis, inflammatory cell inf iltration, which were caused by the single administration of 32 mu l/k g CCl4 or 600 mg/kg acetaminophen in mice. A. scholaris significantly lowered 288 mg/kg beta-D-galactosamine induced serum transaminases ele vation in the serum-biochemical analysis in rats. A tendency was also shown to inhibit cell necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration caus ed by beta-D-galactosamine in histopathological examination. All serol ogical and histopathological effects of A. scholaris were compared wit h those of Bupleurum chinense, which has been reported previously as a treatment criteria of hepatitis.