Protective effect of Trionyx carapax on CCl4-induced hepatic injury is mediated by uracil

Oral administration of crude extracts of Trionyx carapax into rats was found to protect the liver from its CCl4-induced injury as judged by morphological and biochemical observations. The active principle was purified from crude extracts of Trionyx carapax by Sephadex G-75, Sephadex G-25, DEAE-cellulose and silica gel column chromatographies. The results of elemental analysis, infrared and mass spectroscopy demonstrated the purified component to be identical to uracil. Upon administration, authentic uracil exhibited the protective effects on CCl4-induced hepatic injury, a pattern identical to or very similar to that observed with crude extracts of Trionyx carapax. Thus it is concluded that uracil is the active component responsible for protection from CCl4-induced hepatic injury.