HEPATOTOXIC EFFECT OF ARALIA-MANDSHURICA DRIED ROOT EXTRACT IN PIGS

The hepatotoxic effect of a dried root extract of Aralia mandshurica o ver a period of 60 days (0.16 g/kg, 1.5 g/kg and 3 g/kg) was studied i n Landrace pigs of both sexes. The toxic effect of Aralia mandshurica was evaluated by measuring serum alanine amino transferase (ALT), gamm a glutamil transpeptidase (gGT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP). Blood samples were obtained by venopuncture on days 0, 7, 30, and 60 a fter the administration of Aralia mandshurica and the body weight was registered weekly. At the end of the experiment the liver was examined histologically. The levels of ALT and gGT were increased significantl y with ail the concentrations of Aralia mandshurica at day 60. A subcl inical hepatitis characterized by the presence of lymphocytes and poly morphonuclears in the portal and periportal region was observed. A hep atobiliary toxic effect of Aralia mandshurica dried root extract after chronic administration in pigs is concluded. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.