Protective effect of oleanolic acid against chemical-induced acute necrotic liver injury in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the protective effect of oleanolic acid (OA) against necrotic liver injury.


METHODS
Mice were pretreated with OA (200 mumol.kg-1, sc for 3 d), and subsequently administered hepatotoxicants. Liver damage was assessed by quantifying serum activities of alanine aminotransferase and iditol (sorbitol) dehydrogenase, as well as by histopathological examination.


RESULTS
OA pretreatment dramatically diminished CCl4-, bromobenzene-, acetaminophen-, phalloidin-, and cadmium-induced liver injury, and decreased the hepatotoxicity of D-galactosamine plus endotoxin, thioacetamide, furosemide, and colchicine. However, OA had no effect on the toxicity of dimethylnitrosamine, alpha-amanitin, chloroform, and allyl alcohol.


CONCLUSIONS
OA protects against many, but not all, hepatotoxicants, and the hepatoprotective effect of OA may involve multiple mechanisms.
Liu
J
J
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7417, USA.
Liu
Y
Y
Klaassen
C D
CD
D000082:Acetaminophen; D000818:Animals; D002105:Cadmium Poisoning; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009336:Necrosis; D009828:Oleanolic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000082:Acetaminophen; D009828:Oleanolic Acid