Cytoprotective Effect of Benzyl <em>N'</em>-(5-Chloro-indol-3-yl-methylidene)-hydrazinecarbodithioate Against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury in Rats

Indolic compounds have attracted a lot of attention due to their interesting biological properties. The present study was performed to evaluate the subacute toxicity and anti-ulcer activity of BClHC against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. Experimental animal groups were orally pre-treated with different doses of BClHC (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) in 10% Tween 20 solution (vehicle). Blank and ulcer control groups were pre-treated with vehicle. The positive group was orally pretreated with 20 mg/kg omeprazole. After one hour, all groups received absolute ethanol (5 mL/kg) to generate gastric mucosal injury except the blank control group which was administered the vehicle solution. After an additional hour, all rats were sacrificed, and the ulcer areas of the gastric walls determined. Grossly, the ulcer control group exhibited severe mucosal injury, whereas pre-treatment with either derivative or omeprazole resulted in significant protection of gastric mucosal injury. Flattening of gastric mucosal folds was also observed in rats pretreated with BClHC. Histological studies of the gastric wall of ulcer control group revealed severe damage of gastric mucosa, along with edema and leucocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer compared to rats pre-treated with either BClHC or omeprazole where there were marked gastric protection along with reduction or absence of edema and leucocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer. Subacute toxicity study with a higher dose of derivative (5 g/kg) did not manifest any toxicological signs in rats. In conclusions, the present finding suggests that benzyl N'-(5-chloroindol-3-ylmethylidene)hydrazinecarbodithioate promotes ulcer protection as ascertained by the comparative decreases in ulcer areas, reduction of edema and leucocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer.     

Gastroprotective Effects of Inulae Flos on HCl/Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats

Inulae Flos, the flower of Inula britannica L., is used as a dietary supplement, beverage, and medicine in East Asia. In this study, we evaluated the gastroprotective effects of Inulae Flos extract (IFE) against gastric mucosal lesions induced by hydrochloric acid (HCl)/ethanol in rats and explored its potential mechanisms by measuring antioxidant enzyme activity, mucus secretion, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) levels. Pretreatment with IFE at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg significantly inhibited gastric lesions in HCl/ethanol-treated rats. IFE increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and the levels of glutathione and PGE₂ in gastric tissues. The administration of IFE also significantly increased the gastric wall mucus contents in HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions. These findings suggest that IFE has gastroprotective effects against HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions and exerts these effects through increased antioxidant levels and gastric mucus secretion. Inulae Flos may be a promising agent for the prevention and treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcers.     

Mechanisms of the gastric antiulcerogenic activity of Anacardium humile St. Hil on ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal injury in rats

Leaves and bark infusions Anacardium humile St. Hil. (Anacardiaceae), known as in Brazil as "cajuzinho do cerrado", have been used in folk medicine as an alternative treatment for ulcers and gastritis. This study evaluated the gastroprotective activity of an ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of A. humile (AcF) and the mechanism involved in this gastroprotection. Pretreatment concentrations (50, 100, 200 mg x kg?1) were administered by gavage. Following a 60 min. period, all the rats were orally administered 1 mL of absolute ethanol. One hour after the administration of ethanol, all groups were sacrificed, and the gastric ulcer index was calculated. Prostaglandin PGE? concentration, gastric adherent mucous, and the participation of nitric oxide (NO) and sulfhydryl compounds in the gastroprotection process were also analyzed using the most effective tested dose (50 mg x kg?1). A histological study of the glandular stomach for the evaluation of the epithelial damage and mucus content was also performed. AcF significantly reduced the gastric damage produced by ethanol. This effect was statistically significant for the 50 mg x kg?1 group compared to control. Also, it significantly increased the PGE? (by 10-fold) and mucous production, while pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) completely abolished the gastroprotection. AcF has a protective effect against ethanol, and this effect, might be due to the augmentation of the protective mechanisms of mucosa.     

Gastroprotective Activities of Ethanol Extract of Black Rice Bran (Oryza sativa L.) in Rats

Black rice is a type of rice in the Oryza sativa L. species. There are numerous reports regarding the pharmacological actions of black rice bran, but scientific evidence on its gastroprotection is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective activities of black rice bran ethanol extract (BRB) from the Thai black rice variety Hom Nil (O. sativa L. indica) as well as its mechanisms of action, acute oral toxicity in rats, and phytochemical screening. Rat models of gastric ulcers induced by acidified ethanol, indomethacin, and restraint water immersion stress were used. After pretreatment with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of BRB in test groups, BRB at 800 mg/kg significantly inhibited the formation of gastric ulcers in all gastric ulcer models, and this inhibition seemed to be dose dependent in an indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer model. BRB could not normalize the amount of gastric wall mucus, reduce gastric volume and total acidity, or increase gastric pH. Although BRB could not increase NO levels in gastric tissue, the tissue MDA levels could be normalized with DPPH radical scavenging activity. These results confirm the gastroprotective activities of BRB with a possible mechanism of action via antioxidant activity. The major phytochemical components of BRB comprise carotenoid derivatives with the presence of phenolic compounds. These components may be responsible for the gastroprotective activities of BRB. The 2000 mg/kg dose of oral BRB showed no acute toxicity in rats and confirmed, in part, the safe uses of BRB.     

Gastroprotective potentials of the ethanolic extract of Mukia maderaspatana against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

This study investigated the protective effects of the ethanolic extract of Mukia maderaspatana against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Gastric ulceration was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of indomethacin (30 mg/kg b.wt.). M. maderaspatana extract produced significant reduction in gastric mucosal lesions, malondialdehyde and serum tumour necrosis factor-α associated with a significant increase in gastric juice mucin content and gastric mucosal catalase, nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 levels. The volume and acidity of the gastric juice decreased in pretreated rats. The plant extract was evaluated in the gastric juice of rats, untreated has showed near normal levels in pretreated rats. The M. maderaspatana was able to decrease acidity and increase the mucosal defence in the gastric area, therefore justifying its use as an antiulcerogenic agent. Ranitidine significantly increased pH value and decreased pepsin activity and gastric juice free and total acidity. The anti-ulcer effect was further confirmed histologically.     

Evaluation of the antioxidant potential of Salvia miltiorrhiza ethanol extract in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion injury

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protection potential of ethanol extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SMEE) against oxidative injury in the ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model of rats in vivo. Rats were divided into six groups of 10 rats each. Group I/R model and sham were fed with a standard rat chow, groups SMEE I and SMEE II were fed with a standard rat chow and 400 or 800 mg/kg b.w. ethanol extract for 12 days before the beginning of I/R studies. Positive control group was fed with a standard rat chow and salvianolic acid B (55 mg/kg b.w.) or tanshinone II-A (55 mg/kg b.w.) for 12 days before the beginning of I/R studies. To produce I/R, the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded in anesthetized rats for 15 min, followed by 120 min reperfusion. Infarct sizes were found significantly decreased in SMEE-treated and positive control groups compared to I/R model group. Serum AST, LDH and CK-MB activities were significantly reduced and myocardium Na+-K+ ATPase, Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase activities and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px) were markedly increased in SMEE-treated and salvianolic acid B or tanshinone II-A positive control groups compared to the I/R model group. Pretreatment of S. miltiorrhiza ethanol extract and salvianolic acid B or tanshinone II-A dose-dependently reduced significantly myocardium MDA level, ROS and NOS activities and enhanced myocardium GSH level in I/R rats compared to I/R rats model. In conclusion, we clearly demonstrated that S. miltiorrhiza ethanol extract pretreatment can decrease oxidative injury in rats subjected to myocardial I/R.     

Effects of 2-(E-2-decenoylamino)ethyl 2-(cyclohexylethyl) sulfide on various ulcer models in rats.

The effects of 2-(E-2-decenoylamino)ethyl 2-(cyclohexylethyl) sulfide (compd. III-1a) on various experimental ulcers were investigated. The oral administration of compd. III-1a at doses ranging from 30 to 300 mg/kg inhibited the acute gastric ulcerations induced by ethanol, HCl.aspirin and indomethacin in rats. Compound III-1a significantly inhibited the water immersion stress-induced gastric ulcer at doses of 3 mg/kg, p.o. The anti-ulcer activity of plaunotol as a reference drug was equivalent on an ethanol-induced ulcer to that of compd. III-1a, but weaker on HCl.aspirin, indomethacin and stress-induced ulcers than that of compd. III-1a. On indomethacin-produced gastric antral ulcer, compd. III-1a showed the same significant inhibitory activity as spizofurone did at a dose of 100 mg/kg, p.o. Compound III-1a also inhibited hemorrhagic shock-, diethyldithiocarbamic acid (DDC)-and platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced ulcers dose-dependently. Plaunotol only showed significant inhibitory activity on PAF-induced ulcer in these three ucler models. The consecutive administration of compd. III-1a (100 mg/kg, p.o.) twice a day significantly accelerated the healing of an acetic acid-induced ulcer and that of plaunotol (200 mg/kg, p.o.) showed the same activity. Moreover, orally administered compd. III-1a at a dose of 100 mg/kg decreased the gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. The results in the present study suggest that compd. III-1a has the dual action on ulcer formation.     

地黄提取物改善贫血大鼠记忆及其机制

地黄滋阴补血填髓,广泛用于贫血和脑疾病患者,但其功效机制尚未阐明.本文探讨地黄水提物(Rehmannia glutinosa’s water extracts,RGWE)改善血虚大鼠记忆及其滋阴补血填髓的可能机制.采用断尾放血结合注射环磷酰胺制备贫血大鼠模型,随机分溶媒组和地黄水提物3,6,10g/kg治疗组,灌服等体积自来水或不同剂量地黄水提物10天,采用Morris水迷宫观测大鼠空间记忆能力,采用酶联免疫吸附测定方法(Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测血浆红细胞生成素(EPO)水平,免疫组化和免疫蛋白印迹技术(Western blotting)检测分析脑EPO及其受体表达水平.成功制备血虚模型,表现为大鼠红细胞数和血红蛋白显著下降,与造模前比较差异显著(P<0.05),溶媒组空间记忆能力显著下降,地黄治疗组空间记忆能力明显提高,逃避潜伏期明显缩短(P<0.05),一定时间内穿越平台次数显著增多(P<0.05);免疫组化和Western blotting结果显示脑组织EPO及其受体表达、血浆EPO水平均较溶媒组明显升高(P<0.05).地黄水提物显著提高贫血...     

The effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on alcohol-induced oxidative stress in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on alcohol-induced liver damage in rats. A total of 36 rats were divided into control, ethanol and ethanol + LBP groups. Rats in the ethanol group were fed 7 g ethanol/kg body weight by gastric infusion, three times a day, for 30 consecutive days, while rats in the control group received the same volume of physiological saline instead of ethanol, and rats in ethanol + LBP group were fed both ethanol (7 g/kg body weight) and LBP (300 mg/kg body weight/day). Alcoholic liver injury was examined by serum ALT and AST activities, alcoholic fatty liver was assessed by lipid levels, and oxidative stress was evaluated by SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GSH and MDA assays. In the ethanol group, a significant elevation of enzymes and lipid in serum, increased MDA level and depletion of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and GSH in liver were observed. LBP administration significantly ameliorated liver injury, prevented the progression of alcohol-induced fatty liver, and improved the antioxidant functions when compared with the ethanol group. Histopathological examination of rat liver revealed that LBP administration protected liver cells from the damage induced by ethanol. The results suggest that LBP is a promising agent to protect the liver from hepatotoxicity and fatty liver induced by ethanol intake.     

Acute and sub-acute toxicity study of hydroalcoholic fruit extract of Pithecellobium dulce

This study was carried out to evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity profile of the hydroalcoholic fruit extract (HAEPD) of Pithecellobium dulce (Leguminosae). Albino rats were treated orally with 100, 200 and 500?mg?kg(-1) bodyweight (BW) of HAEPD for 90 days to assess its sub-acute toxicity. HAEPD at single doses of 100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000?mg?kg(-1) BW was also administered to rats to assess its acute toxicity. The rats were observed for physical discomfort, BW change and feeding habits. Pithecellobium dulce did not cause any abnormal changes in haematological or biochemical parameters. Pathologically, no gross abnormality in the tissue architecture was observed. The LD(50) was found to be 3916?mg?kg(-1) BW and potential effective doses for efficacy studies are 100 and 300?mg?kg(-1) BW as the minimum and maximum doses, respectively. It is concluded that HAEPD can be used safely for experimental and clinical trials.     

Role of Daucus carota in Enhancing Antiulcer Profile of Pantoprazole in Experimental Animals

The carrot plant (Daucus carota) and its components are traditionally reported for the management of gastric ulcers. This study was performed to evaluate the role of carrot when administered concurrently with a conventional antiulcer treatment, pantoprazole, in alleviating gastric and duodenal ulcers in female experimental animals. The study involved standard animal models to determine the ulcer preventive effect using pylorus ligation, ethanol, and stress induced acute gastric ulcer models and duodenal ulcer models involving cysteamine. Acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcer and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer models were used to evaluate the ulcer healing effect. Carrot fruit (500 mg/kg) and its co-administration with pantoprazole produced significant protection in an ethanol- and stress-induced acute gastric ulcer and cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer. The healing of the acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcer was also augmented with this combination. Both total proteins and mucin contents were significantly increased in indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers. Similarly, in pylorus ligation, the pepsin content of gastric juice, total acidity, and free acidity were reduced. Overall, both ulcer preventive effects and ulcer healing properties of the pantoprazole were significantly enhanced in animals who received the co-administration of carrot fruit (500 mg/kg).     

Bioassay-guided isolation of an anti-ulcer compound, tagitinin C, from Tithonia diversifolia: role of nitric oxide, prostaglandins and sulfhydryls

Tithonia diversifolia is a medicinal plant from the Municipality of Suchiapa, Chiapas, Mexico, that according to local folk medicine is considered useful in the treatment of gastric ulcers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the gastroprotective activity of T. diversifolia by using an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer experimental model in male Wistar rats. The results showed that T. diversifolia had gastroprotective activity, and that the dichloromethane extract had the highest protective activity (close to 90% when using doses between 10 to 100 mg/kg), and that further the compound tagitinin C isolated from this extract was the main active gastroprotective agent. Rats treated with tagitinin C suspended in Tween 80 at 1, 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg showed 37.7, 70.1, 100, and 100% gastroprotection, respectively. The effect elicited by tagitinin C (30 mg/kg) was not attenuated by pretreatment with either N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (70 mg/kg, i.p.), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, N-ethylmaleimide (10 mg/kg, s.c.), a blocker of sulfhydryl groups, or indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.), a blocker of prostaglandin synthesis, which suggests that the gastroprotective mechanism of action of this sesquiterpene lactone does not involve NO, sulfhydryl groups or prostaglandins.     

Anti-ulcer effects of Trichosanthes fruits

Anti-ulcer activities of fruits of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maximowicz var. japonica Kitamura (50% ethanolic extract, TKE) were investigated in rats. TKE, at doses of 100-1000 mg/kg, showed potent protection against experimental gastric lesions, namely, those induced by water-immersion, histamine, serotonin, HCl.ethanol, 0.6 N HCl, 0.2 N NaOH, 35% NaCl, and Shay' ulcer and acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer. At doses of 500-1000 mg/kg, TKE decreased the gastric secretion and acid output in pylorus-ligation (for 7 h), but 100 mg/kg of TKE had no influence on the gastric secretion. On the other hand, TKE exerted inhibition on the contractile responses of the isolated ileum of mouse to acetylcholine. These results suggested that TKE has an anti-ulcer effect.     

Bioactive saponins and glycosides. XXIII. Triterpene saponins with gastroprotective effect from the seeds of Camellia sinensis--theasaponins E3, E4, E5, E6, and E7

The saponin fraction from the seeds of the tea plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. KUNTZE (Theaceae)] was found to exhibit potent protective effects on ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats. Five new triterpene saponins, theasaponins E3 (1), E4 (2), E5 (3), E6 (4), and E7 (5), were isolated together with 11 known saponins from the saponin fraction. The chemical structures of 1-5 were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Among the isolated saponins, theasaponins E1 (6), E2 (7), and E5 (3) and assamsaponin C (10) showed an inhibitory effect on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions at a dose of 5.0 mg/kg, p.o. and their activities were stronger than that of omeplazole. With regard to the structure-activity relationships of theasaponins, the following structural requirements for a protective effect on ethanol-induced gastric lesions were suggested; 1) the 21- and/or 22-acyl groups are essential for the activity, 2) acetylation of the 16-hydroxyl group reduce the activity.     

Effect of ethanol extract of Sphaeranthus indicus on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Cisplatin is an anticancer drug extensively used against a variety of cancers. Cisplatin chemotherapy is found to manifest dose-dependent nephrotoxicity. Depletion of the renal antioxidant defence system has been suggested to be the main cause of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the ethanol extract of entire plant of Sphaeranthus indicus could reduce the intensity of toxicity in albino rats. Nephrotoxicity was assessed by determining the serum creatinine and urea levels and renal antioxidant status in rats after cisplatin administration (12?mg?kg(-1)?body weight, i.p.). The ethanol extract of S. indicus (150 and 300?mg?kg(-1)?body weight) was administered orally from the sixth day onwards for 10 days after cisplatin administration. The extract significantly reduced the elevated serum creatinine and urea levels. Renal antioxidant defence systems, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities and reduced glutathione level that are depleted by cisplatin therapy were restored to normal by treatment with the extract. Cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation was also found to be markedly reduced by treatment with the extract. These results suggest that S. indicus has protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, which may be attributed to its antioxidant potential.     

Gastroprotection of Suaveolol, Isolated from <em>Hyptis suaveolens</em>, against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Lesions in Wistar Rats: Role of Prostaglandins, Nitric Oxide and Sulfhydryls

Hyptis suaveolens is a medicinal plant that is, according to traditional medicine, considered useful in the treatment of gastric ulcers. Although its gastroprotective activity was reported, the active compounds have not been identified. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify at least one active compound potentially responsible for the gastroprotective activity of H. suaveolens by using a bioassay guided study with an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer experimental model in rats. The results show that the hexane extract had protective activity (close to 70% when using doses between 10 and 100 mg/kg), and that the compound suaveolol, isolated from this extract, was one of the active gastroprotective agents. This is the first report about the gastroprotective activity of suaveolol. Rats treated with this compound at 3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg showed 12.6, 21.3, 39.6 and 70.2% gastroprotection respectively. The effect elicited by suaveolol (at 100 mg/kg) was attenuated by pretreatment with either N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (70 mg/kg, i.p.), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.), a blocker of prostaglandin synthesis, or N-ethylmaleimide (10 mg/kg, s.c.), a blocker of sulfhydryl groups. This suggests that the gastroprotective mechanism of action of this compound involves NO, prostaglandins and sulfhydryl groups.     

Anti-ulcer effect in rats of bitter cardamon constituents

The effects of bitter cardamon (the fruit of Alpinia oxphylla), used as a medicine and a condiment, on HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats were examined. The acetone extract at 50 mg/kg, p.o. significantly inhibited gastric lesions by 57.0%. An analysis of the active constituents in the acetone extract was performed using column chromatography. Nootkatone at 20 mg/kg, p.o. significantly inhibited gastric lesion. These results suggest that nootkatone, the sesquiterpenoid is an important constituent in stomach medications containing bitter cardamon.     

A novel class of antiulcer agents. 4-Phenyl-2-(1-piperazinyl)quinolines

The synthesis of a novel class of antiulcer agents, the substituted 4-phenyl-2-(1-piperazinyl)quinolines, and their pharmacological activities (inhibitory effects on hypothermia induced by reserpine and on gastric ulcers induced by stress or ethanol) are described. These compounds can be classified into three groups (a group predominantly effective on the stress-induced ulcer, one effective on both the stress- and ethanol-induced ulcers, and one selectively effective on the ethanol-induced ulcer), with regard to antiulcer activity. The inhibitory effect on stress-induced ulcer was found to be in close relation to the antagonism of hypothermia. The structure-activity relationships in these compounds are described. Among the compounds, 2-(4-ethyl-1-piperazinyl)-4-phenylquinoline dimaleate (9, AS-2646) showed a potent inhibition of stress-induced ulcer and gastric acid secretion, possively through action on the central nervous system, and it was selected for clinical evaluation.     

Ipomoea aquatica extract shows protective action against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity

In the Indian system of traditional medicine (Ayurveda) it is recommended to consume Ipomoea aquatica to mitigate disorders like jaundice. In this study, the protective effects of ethanol extract of I. aquatica against liver damage were evaluated in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced chronic hepatotoxicity in rats. There was no sign of toxicity in the acute toxicity study, in which Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally fed with I. aquatica (250 and 500 mg/kg) for two months along with administration of TAA (i.p injection 200 mg/kg three times a week for two months). The results showed that the treatment of I. aquatica significantly lowered the TAA-induced serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers (ALP, ALT, AST, protein, albumin, bilirubin and prothrombin time). The hepatic content of activities and expressions SOD and CAT that were reduced by TAA were brought back to control levels by the plant extract supplement. Meanwhile, the rise in MDA level in the TAA receiving groups also were significantly reduced by I. aquatica treatment. Histopathology of hepatic tissues by H&E and Masson trichrome stains displayed that I. aquatica has reduced the incidence of liver lesions, including hepatic cells cloudy swelling, infiltration, hepatic necrosis, and fibrous connective tissue proliferation induced by TAA in rats. Therefore, the results of this study show that the protective effect of I. aquatica in TAA-induced liver damage might be contributed to its modulation on detoxification enzymes and its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects. Moreover, it confirms a scientific basis for the traditional use of I. aquatica for the treatment of liver disorders.     

Hepatoprotective action of Radix Paeoniae Rubra aqueous extract against CCl4-induced hepatic damage

In the present study the capacity of Radix Paeoniae Rubra aqueous extract (RPRAE) as an antioxidant to protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats was investigated. Six groups of rats were used. Radix Paeoniae Rubra aqueous extract (100 or 200 or 300 mg/kg of bw) or bifendate (100 mg/kg of bw) were given daily by gavage to the animals on 28 consecutive days to elucidate the protective effects against CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity. The 20% CCl(4)/olive oil was gavage of gastric tube twice a week (on the third and seventh days of each week). The animals of normal control group were given only vehicle. The animals of CCl(4)-treated group were administered with CCl(4) twice a week (on the third and seventh days of each week) and with vehicle on rest of the days. The test materials were found effective as hepatoprotective agents, as evidenced by plasma and liver biochemical parameters. Therefore, the results of this study show that Radix Paeoniae Rubra aqueous extract can protect the liver against CCl(4)-induced oxidative damage in rats, and the hepatoprotective effects might be correlated with its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects.