Objective: To investigate the protective effect of hyperin (Hyp) on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced immunological liver injury in mice

and to explore its mechanism. Method: Kunming mice were randomly divided into six groups:the normal group

the model group

the low-

middle-

high-dose Hyp groups (12.5

25

50 mg·kg-1) and the bifendate group (200 mg·kg-1). The mice in he treated groups were orally administered with hyperin or bifendate for 10 consecutive days. The mice were injected with 20 mg·kg-1 of Con A intravenously except the control 1 hour after the last medication. 12 hours later

the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum

the concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) in hepatic tissue

the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2)

interleukin-4 (IL-4)

interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosisfactor-α (TNF-α)

CD3+

CD4+ and CD8+ in blood were determined. In addition

hepatic histopathological examination was also performed. Result: Compared with the normal group

the serum AST and ALT activities

the level of MDA

IL-2

IL-4

IFN-γ and TNF-α increased

the SOD

T lymphocyte subset CD3+

CD4+ and CD8+ ratios in hepatic tissue decreased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with model group

the serum AST and ALT activities

the level of MDA

IL-2

IL-4

IFN-γ and TNF-α were reduced

the SOD

T lymphocyte subset CD3+

CD4+ and CD8+ ratios in hepatic tissue were elevated in the model group(P<0.01). Moreover

the pathological injuries of liver tissue were alleviated. Conclusion: Hyp has a potent protective effect against Con A-induced immunological liver injury in mice. The mechanism might be related to removing free radicals

regulating the balance of T cell subgroup and reducing the secretion of inflammation factors.