Objective: To investigate the hepatoprotective effects and mechanisms of Jincao Xiaodu granule (JCG) on acute hepatic injury in mice induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Method: After administration of JCG (1.7

3.4

6.8 g · kg-1) for 10 consecutive days

the acute hepatic injury models in mice were induced by intraperitoneal injection of D-GalN (700 mg · kg-1)+LPS (10 μg · kg-1). The 8 h survival rate was recorded; the fasting serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT)

aspartate transaminase (AST)

total bilirubin (TBIL)

blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

creatinine (CREA)

immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were measured by biochemical test; the activity of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)

interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)

cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)

and p-nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB)p65 were analyzed by Western blot; and the pathological changes of liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Result: As compared with the model group

the survival rate was significantly increased; the levels of ALT

AST

TBIL

BUN

CREA

TNF-α

IL-1β and IL-6 in serum were significantly decreased (P<0.05

P<0.01); IgM and IgG were significantly increased (P<0.05

P<0.01); the expression levels of iNOS

COX-2 and p-NF-κB p65 were significantly down-regulated

and the pathological damages induced by D-GalN/LPS were significantly alleviated in JCG treatment group. Conclusion: JCG had good hepatoprotective effects

and its mechanism may be related to improving the hepatorenal function

decreasing the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels

up-regulating the immune function

as well as inhibiting the expression of iNOS

COX-2 and p-NF-κB p65.