Evaluation of hepatoprotective effect of Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction and its two fractions against acute alcohol-induced liver injury in rats

Aim of the study: To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction (ZZDHD) and its two fractions (one is extracted with diethyl ether as a solvent from the water extract and is called ZD-DE for short, the other is the remained aqueous fraction after extracted with diethyl ether and is abbreviated as ZD-AQ) against acute alcohol-induced liver injury in rats. Materials and methods: Animals were administered orally with alcohol 6 g/kg at 2 h after the doses of ZZDHD and two fractions everyday for eight consecutive days except rats in normal group. The protective effect was evaluated by biochemical parameters including aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The biochemical observations were supplemented by histo pathological examination. HPLC-UV was used for phytochemical analysis of the ZZDHD and its two fractions. Results: The high dose of ZZDHD exhibited a significant protective effect by reversing the biochemical parameters and histopathological changes. ZD-DE and ZD-AQ demonstrated different protective action in biochemical examination. Partly assayed indexes were ameliorated after administrated the media dose of ZZDHD. HPLC analysis indicated that ZZDHD contained flavonoids, anthraquinones and iricloids, which might be the active chemicals. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the hepatoprotective activity of ZZDHD thus scientifically supported the usage of this formula. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.