Hepatoprotective effect of burdock concentrate against ConA induced liver damage in mice

Purpose:To investigate the protective effects of burdock concentrate on concanavalin A (ConA) -induced liver injury in mice.Methods:Mice liver injury model was induced by ConA vena caudalis injection.Liver, thymus and spleen index, contents of ALT, AST in serum and TNF-α, NO in liver were measured.Liver histopathological changes were examined accordingly.Results:Compared with modal group, the liver index was decreased and thymus index was increased in PA (peel of burdock extrated by ethanol) group (p<0.05) .The contents of ALT, AST in serum, and TNF-α, NO in liver homogenate were significantly decreased (p<0.01) .A significant improvement was also observed in pathohistology examination.MW (peeled root extrated by water) had no effect on biochemical indicators and liver histological morphology in mice.Conclusion:PA has protective effect on ConA-induced liver injury in mice.This maybe implementated by inhibiting T lymphocyte activity and decreasing the release of inflammatory factors.