ABSTRACT
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 CCl 4 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.