Comparison of liver toxicity of matrine and oxymatrine in m ice / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE To compare the liver toxicity of matrine and oxymatrine ,and to explore their toxic mechanism. METHODS Thirty ICR mice were randomly divided into normal control ,matrine 200 mg · kg-1 and oxymatrine 200 mg · kg-1 groups,10 mice per group. After single ig administration of corresponding drugs or water, animal mortality was calculated at the 15th day. The content of glutamic-pyruvic transami?nase(GPT),glutamic-oxalacetic transamin(GOT),alkaline phosphatase(ALP)and lactate dehydroge?nase (LDH) in serum were detected. Histopathological changes of the liver were examined by HE stain. The content of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione(GSH)in liver homogenates were detected by ELISA. Hepatocyte apoptosis was detected by Tunel stain. RESULTS The mortality rate of mice in two groups was 80% and 0,respectively. GPT,GOT and ALP contents of dead mice in matrine group were significantly higher than that in normal control group(P0.05). The content of SOD and GSH of dead mice in matrine group was lower than that in control group(P<0.05,P<0.01). The content of GSH in oxymatrine group was also decreased(P<0.05). The apoptosis rate of liver cells in dead mice in matrine group was increased(P<0.05). CONCLUSION A large dose of matrine and oxymatrine can produce liver toxicity. At an equal dosage,the liver toxicity of matrine is significantly higher than that of oxymatrine. The toxic mechanism is related to oxidative stress and apoptosis.