PROTECTIVE ACTION OF BLUMEATIN AGAINST EX PERIMENTAL LIVER INJURIES

Blumeatin (Blu, 5, 3', 5'-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-dihydro-flavone) was fi rst isolated from Blumea balsamifera DC by Department of Chemistry, Su nyatsen University of China. Blu ip inhibited the increase of serum al anine aminotransferase (AAT) and liver triglyceride and increased seru m triglyceride, beta-lipoprotein, and liver glycogen content in CCl4-i ntoxicated rats. Histological lesions of liver were less severe than t hose of hepatic injury control. Blu ip 0.65 and 3.25 mg . kg-1 inhibit ed the increase of serum AAT and hepatic TG in thioacetamide (TAA)-int oxicated mice. Blu ip shortened the pentobarbital sleeping time in CCl 4-intoxicated mice. It suggested that Blu could protect liver against injury induced by CCl4 and TAA.