Objective: To observe the protective effect of Paeoniae Radix Rubra against ANIT-induced acute cholestasis hepatitis in rats. Method: The rat cholestasis hepatitis model was induced by ANIT (60 mg·kg-1)once after intragastric administration (ig) for 3 days with Paeoniae Radix Rubra group. The extract of Paeoniae Radix Rubra was administered intragastricly after ANIT treated for three times. Blood sample was obtained

the serum biochemistry indicators were tested

and bile flow within 6 h in rats and histopathological changes in liver were also investigated. The protective effect of Paeoniae Radix Rubra was evaluated by correspondence analysis. Result: Biochemical results showed obviously that

compared with model group

the concentrations of serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)

aspartate aminotransferase(AST)

total bilirubin(TBIL)

direct bilirubin(DBIL)

alkaline phosphatase(ALP)

total bile acid(TBA) in high-and medium-dose group of Paeoniae Radix Rubra were significantly decreased (P<0.01)

and the bile flow volume was significantly increased (P<0.05). By examining the liver histopathology

it was found that hepatic cellular change

necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were notably alleviated in the high-and medium-dose group of Paeoniae Radix Rubra with ANIT treatment

however

the improvement was not obviously found in the low-dose group. Correspondence analysis results showed that the treatment effect was remarkable in the high-and medium-dose. Conclusion: It showed that the high-and medium-dose of Paeoniae Radix Rubra (36

18 g·kg-1)have obvious treatment effect against acute cholestasis hepatitis induced by ANIT.