Objective:This study evaluated the hepatoprotective activity of different molecule weight range of Dicliptera chinensis polysaccharide (DCP) against D-galactosamine (D-GlaN)-induced hepatotoxicity in SD rats. Method: DCP was divided into three parts according to the semipermeable membrane with different molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) using dialysis. Mw<6 kD

Mw 6 kD-10 kD

Mw>10 kD and DCP were studied on D-GlaN-induced (500 mg·kg-1 intraperitoneally) hepatic damage in rats. Liver coefficient

serum enzyms as alanine aminotransferase(ALT)

aspartate aminotransferase(AST)

hepatic tissue index malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)

and histopathological Changes in liver architecture including necrosis and swelling of hepatic cells were detected. Result: Compared with the model group

pretreated with DCP and Mw<6 kD polysaccharide significantly prevented the increases of alanine ALT and AST level in serum

each group can prevented MDA accumulation

GSH-Px depletion in liver tissue

and hepatocyte swelling and necrosis. Conclusion: The results indicate that DCP can protect against D-GlaN-induced acute liver injury in rats

and the most active part is the range of molecular weight left than 6 kD.