Objective:To study the protective effect of n-butanol extraction from Bupleurum chinense on acute liver injury in mice induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4) and to have a preliminary study on the features of its chemical constituent. Method:Preventive administration of total saikosaponin from B. chinense (high dose

middle dose

low dose) on acute liver injury mice induced by CCl4 (ig) lasted for 7 d

then detect the serum AST and ALT activity and liver tissue MDA content and SOD activity in all groups (blank group

model group

control group and saikosaponins groups)

meanwhile construct determination and analysis of HPLC chromatogram of n-butanol extraction of B. chinense were carried out. Result:Total saikosaponin which mainly contained saikosaponin a(SSa) and saikosaponin d(SSd) was the main constituent of n-butanol extraction of B. chinense and it could significantly decrease ALT and AST activity in serum(P<0.05)and meanwhile it could obviously enhance the activity of SOD and reduce the contents of MDA in liver(P<0.05). Conclusion:The n-butanol extraction of B.chinense has protective effects on acute liver injury induced by CCl4 in mice and its main constituent was total saikosaponin.