Abstract
Nearly all rats develop massive hepatic cell necrosis and die upon intravenous administration
of heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes followed by a small amount of Gram-negative lipopolysaccharide 7 days later. However,
when such an experimental liver disorder is induced in rats raised for 4 or more weeks
on food containing 0.06% of gomisin A extracted and purified from Schizandra chinensis, the survival rate rises, histological changes of the liver improve remarkably, and
splenocyte reactivity to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen as well as splenocyte
interleukin 1 productivity are retained. These results suggested the possibility that
the development of acute hepatic failure may be prevented with the oral administration
of gomisin A.
Key words
Schizandra chinensis
- gomisin A - hepatoprotective effect -
Propionibacterium acnes
