Protective action of Shuganwan on acute liver injury and its effect on bile secretion in rats

Objective: To study the protective action of Shuganwan on liver injury and its cholagogue action. Methods: Acute liver injury was induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats. The biochemical indexes and pathological changes were used for evaluation. The cholagogue action was studied by biliary drainage method. Results: Compared with those of the CCl₄ control group, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin levels of Shuganwan group declined significantly, and albumin/ globulin (A/G) inversion was obviously improved. The pathological changes revealed that liver injury was relieved. There was no change in bile secretion after administration of Shuganwan. Conclusion: Shuganwan has protective action on acute liver injury by carbon tetrachloride, but no promotive action on bile secretion.