[Preventive and therapeutic effects of extract from Rheum palmatum on hepatic encephalopathy in rats with acute liver failure].
OBJECTIVE
To probe the preventive, therapeutic effect and the possible mechanism of extract from Rheum palmatum (ERP) on hepatic encephalopathy(HE) in rats with acute liver failure.


METHODS
HE was induced by the administration of 300 mg thioracetamide per kg body weight by gavage on two consecutive days. The effects of ERP were observed on neurology test, serum ammonium, serum endotoxin and liver impairment.


RESULTS
ERP could improve rat neuro-reflexes, decrease the staging of HE and rat serum ammonium, endotoxin concentrations, and reduce the liver impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
ERP significantly prevents and treats HE in rats with thioacetamide-induced acute liver failure.
Zhang
Qiuju
Q
Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230038.
Cheng
Huijuan
H
Wang
Chengyong
C
Zhang
Changwei
C
Wang
Jun
J
D064751:Ammonium Compounds / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000097:blood; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012250:Rheum / Q000737:chemistry*; D013853:Thioacetamide
D064751:Ammonium Compounds; D004731:Endotoxins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013853:Thioacetamide