Effects of gentiopicrooside injections on experimental hepatic injury

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective and jaundice-relieving effects of gentiopicrooside (GPS) injections in mouse and rat models of chemical-induced and immune-mediated hepatic injury. METHODS: Mouse models of chemical-induced liver injury were established by CCl4 injections into the abdominal cavity, mouse models of immune-mediated liver damage by bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and rat models of jaundice by oral alpha-naphthyliso-thiocyanate (ANIT). Treatment with GPS injections was administered and both of enzyme activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the Serum were measured in the models. The serum level of total bilirubin was determined in the jaundice models. RESULTS: Compared with those of the untreated models, the enzyme activities of ALT and AST were significantly reduced in groups with a 10 day GPS treatment (P<0.001, P<0.05). Higher dosage of GPS showed more conspicuous effects in relieving the jaundice. CONCLUSION: GPS can be administered as the antagonist against CC14-induced liver injury and offers protection against immune-mediated liver damage.