PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF OLEANOLIC ACID AGAINST CHEMICAL-INDUCED ACUTE NECROTIC LIVER-INJURY IN MICE

AIM: To evaluate the protective effect of oleanolic acid (OA) against necrotic liver injury. METHODS: Mice were pretreated with OA (200 mu mol . kg(-1), sc for 3 d), and subsequently administered hepatotoxicants. Liver damage was asessed 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. CONCLUSION: OA protects against many, but not all, hepatotoxicants, and the hepatoprotective effect of OA may involve multiple mechanisms.