Hepatotoxicity of Eupatorium adenophorum to rats

Freeze dried Eupatorium adenophorum leaf powder mixed in rat feed at a leve l of 25% elicited hepatotoxicity. The affected animals were jaundiced and h ad marked increase in plasma bilirubin levels and activities of alkaline ph osphatase. glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate trans aminase. The liver of intoxicated animals had focal areas of necrosis and b ile duct proliferation. Elevation in plasma bilirubin concomitant with alte rations in enzyme profile and histopathological lesions are consistent with liver injury and cholestasis. This is the first report of the toxicity of E. adenophorum to rats. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.