ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the hepatotoxicity effects in rats with different extract of Fructus Gardeniae.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Observe the change of appearance, behavior and weight of rats through oral gavage daily for 3 d. Weigh the liver and calculate the liver index. Detect the ALT, AST and TBIL. Observe the liver tissue by optical microscope.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The weight and index of liver were increased by 3.08 g x kg(-1) aqueous extract, 1.62 g x kg(-1) alcoholic extract and 0.28 g x kg(-1) geniposide, compared to those of the blank group (P < 0.005, P < 0.001) and the activities of ALT, AST and the content of TBIL were also increased, compared to those of the blank group (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). The liver cells were obviously swell, necrotic and changed with inflammatory infiltrate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Aqueous extract, alcoholic extract and geniposide displayed hepatotoxicity, and the geniposide which was the main substance of the Fructus Gardeniae might be mainly responsible for the hepatotoxicity.</p>