Objective: To investigate the protective effect and related mechanism of Oxalidis Coriniculatose Herba on acute hepatic injury induced by carbon tetra-chloride in rats based on Toll-like-receptor-2 (TLR-2)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Method: A total of 48 female rats were randomly divided into normal group

model group

silymarin (0.12 g·kg-1) group

and high

middle and low-dose Oxalidis Corniculatase Herba(16

8

4 g·kg-1) groups

with 8 in each group. Except for the normal group and model group

all of the remaining rats were given drugs by gavage for 10 days

twice a day. Two hours later

except for the normal group

all of the remaining rats were injected with 12% carbon tetra-chloride olive oil solution (5 mL·kg-1) via abdominal cavity to establish the acute liver injury model. After 16 hours

the blood was taken from the retrobulbar arteries

and the liver tissues were collected to make htoxylin eosin(HE) pathological sections. The activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

total-superoxide dismutase (T-SOD)

glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum of rats were detected by biochemical method. The level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)

interleukin-1 β(IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum were assayed by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA); and protein expressions of TLR-2 and NF-κB in liver tissue of rats were tested by Western blot. HE pathological sections of liver tissues of rats were observed under microscope. Result: Compared with the normal group

the serum activity of ALT

AST and the content of MDA significantly increased

whereas T-SOD and GSH-Px activity decreased (P<0.01)

and the levels of IL-1β

TNF-α

IL-6 in serum and the hepatic expressions of TLR-2

NF-κB increased in the model group (P<0.01). After intervention with Oxalidis Corniculatase Herba

the activities of ALT

AST and the levels of MDA

IL-1β

IL-6

TNF-α in serum were obviously reduced (P<0.05

P<0.01)

while the activities of GSH-Px and SOD in serum were improved (P<0.05

P<0.01)

and the expressions of TLR-2 and NF-κB in liver tissue were inhibited (P<0.05

P<0.01). The pathological sections also showed that the liver injury degree in rats was significantly alleviated. Conclusion: Oxalidis Corniculatase Herba can ease the acute liver injury in rats induced by carbon tetra-chloride olive oil solution

the mechanism may be related with the intervention of TLR-2/NF-κB signaling pathway and the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.