Effect of triterpene derivatives on the total hepatocyte count in the liver of rats with toxic hepatitis.

We studied hepatoprotective activity of betulonic acid and its alaninamide on the model of combined CCl(4)- and ethanol-induced toxic liver damage in rats. The test substances, especially betulonic acid alaninamide, considerably reduced the elevated biochemical parameters in animals with toxic liver damage. Betulonic acid alaninamide also stimulated reparative processes in the liver (activated hepatocyte proliferation). Heptral (reference drug) produced no appreciable effects on the reparative processes. Our findings suggest that betulin derivatives exhibit pronounced protective properties.