[Protective action of kopsinine F against experimental liver injury in mice]

Kopsinine F is an indole alkaloid. The present studies show that prior oral administration of kopsinine F 150 mg/kg significantly protected mice from liver injuries induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4, thioacetamide and acetaminophen. The alkaloid also inhibited CCl4 induced lipid peroxidation (MDA formation) of liver microsomes and 14CCl4 covalent binding to lipids of liver microsomes in vitro. In addition, kopsinine F significanty induced hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 in mice. The results indicate that kopsinine F has hpatoeprotective activity in mice.