[Protective action of blumeatin against experimental liver injuries]

Blumeatin (Blu, 5,3',5'-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-dihydro-flavone) was first isolated from Blumea balsamifera DC by Department of Chemistry, Sunyatsen University of China. Blu ip inhibited the increase of serum alanine aminotransferase (AAT) and liver triglyceride and increased serum triglyceride, beta-lipoprotein, and liver glycogen content in CCl4-intoxicated rats. Histological lesions of liver were less severe than those of hepatic injury control. Blu ip 0.65 and 3.25 mg.kg-1 inhibited the increase of serum AAT and hepatic TG in thioacetamide (TAA)-intoxicated mice. Blu ip shortened the pentobarbital sleeping time in CCl4-intoxicated mice. It suggested that Blu could protect liver against injury induced by CCl4 and TAA.