The evaluation of the therapeutic effect of tao-shang-tsao on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate and carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in rats.

The hepatoprotective effects of Tao-shang-tsao, Ixeris laevigata Sch.-Bip. var. oldhami Kitam., were studied on cholestatic hepatitis induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT, 100 mg/10 ml/kg, in olive oil, i.p.) and acute hepatitis induced by carbon tetrachloride (20% CCl4/olive oil, 1.5 ml/kg, i.p.) in rats by post-treatment with the crude methanolic extracts of I. laevigata (0.3, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg) orally in the therapeutic model. Hepatoprotective activity was monitored by estimating the serum transaminases concentrations and histopathological changes in the livers of experimental rats. It was found that the I. laevigata extract significantly decreased the acute elevation of serum transaminases by biochemical examination. According to pathohistological studies in the liver of experimental rats, the crude I. laevigata extract ameliorates the central necrosis, fatty change or proliferation of bile duct epithelium focal necrosis caused by ANIT or CCl4-induced hepatitis rats.