title: Effects of "Chinese yam" on hepato-nephrotoxicity of acetaminophen in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of yam in Taiwan, which is a commonly used Chinese medicine, on hepato-nephro-toxicity in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Crude water extract of yam (Dioscorea alata L), was used to treat rats with an acute toxicity induced by acetaminophen (APAP) challenge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pharmacological and biochemical studies showed the extract of yam had the effect of kidney secureness and liver fortification (P < 0.01). The pathologic sections showed good improvements in renal tubular degranulation changes, necrosis and disintegration. The extract of yam also possessed a good protection against the inflammation of central vein and necrosis of liver tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The liver and kidneys are originated from the same source. Pathologically, deficiency of the life essence in the kidney may lead to the blood deficiency in the liver. The results showed that the yam could prevent the damages of the liver and kidneys, thus preserving their functions. This could b e the reason why the yam was commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, as seen in Liuwei Dihuang Wan be used in the case of deficiency of liver-yin and kidney-yin.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan, China.
authors.forename: Shih-Chang
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chin-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Jung-Chou
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jaung-Geng
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chun-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Miao-Lin
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D027742:Dioscorea / Q000737:chemistry*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016710:Yin Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C042579:Liuwei Dihuang Decoction; D000082:Acetaminophen