Protective Effect of Berberine on CCl_4-induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of berberine on CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice.METHODS: Kunming mice were included and equally divided into 6 groups: normal group,model group,berberine groups(40,20,10 mg·kg-1).After intragastric administration of corresponding drugs for 5 consecutive days,the mice were intraperitoneally injected with CCl4(10 mL·kg-1) to establish liver injury mice model.Alanine transaminase(ALT) and aspartate transaminase(AST) in serum,activities of superoxidase(SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA) content in liver homogenate were measured.RESULTS: In Berberine-treated groups compared the model group,serum ALT level and AST activity decreased significantly(P0.05 or P0.01),SOD activity ehanced(P0.05 or P0.01)while MDA content in hepatic tissue decreased(P0.05 or P0.01).CONCLUSION: Berberine has protective effect on rats against CCl4-induced acute liver injury,and the mechanism may be related to the enhanced anti-oxidation ability of mice.