Objective:To investigate the differences in nature of the properties of Radix Curcumae and Rhizoma Curcumas Longae

we compared their pharmacological activities. Method: The rat model of cold-damp jaundice was established by gavaging with phenyl isothiocyanate to induce liver injury combined with rhubarb feeding and cold-damp environmental stress. The aqueous extracts of Rhizoma Curcumas Longae and Radix Curcumae were gavaged both at a dose of 10 g·kg-1 for 16 days. The jaundice index including aspartate aminotransferase and alanine amiotransferase and total bilirubin in serum

the antioxidant indexes including superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde in hepatic mitochondria

the energy metabolism indexes including succinate dehydrogenase and sodium-potassium-adenosine triphosphate and calcium-magnesium-adenosine triphosphate in hepatic mitochondria

redox capacity of hepatic mitochondria

the pituitary-adrenal

pituitary-thyroid

pituitary-gonadal function indexes including adrenocorticotropin and luteinizing hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone in serum and liver pathological changes were observed. Result: In jaundice effect and pathological changes including portal area bile duct pathological change and mesenchymal inflammatory cell infiltration and liver parenchyma pathological change

the aqueous extract of Rhizoma Curcumas Longae was better than the aqueous extract of Radix Curcumae. In cold-damp jaundice model group

hepatic mitochondria energy metabolism and redox capacity and superoxide dismutase and the pituitary-adrenal

pituitary-thyroid

pituitary-gonadal function were low. The aqueous extract of Rhizoma Curcumas Longae could enhance those function and the aqueous extract of Radix Curcumae was not obvious. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Radix Curcumae showed cold in nature and the aqueous extract of Rhizoma Curcumas Longae showed warm in nature.