Objective: To observe the therapeutic effects of Rhamnus Songorica extract (RSE) in rats with alcoholic liver disease. Method: A rat model of alcoholic liver disease was established by intragastric infusion of alcohol

once a day continuously for 10 weeks. Positive control group was given yiganling at 100 mg·kg-1 and the low

middle

high dose RSE groups were given RSE at 0.9

1.8

3.6 g·kg-1

respectively after 10 weeks. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

triglyceride (TG)

total cholesterol (TC)

low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)

high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in serum

maleic dialdehyde (MDA)

total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD)

nitric oxide (NO)

reduced glutathione (GSH) in liver tissue and the evaluation of the histopathological changes of liver in rats were detected after 4 weeks treatment. Result: Compared with the rats in model group

RSE significantly decreased the levels of ALT

AST

TG

TC

and LDL-C in serum as well as MDA and NO in liver tissue. The T-SOD conten was obviously increased in liver tissue. The hepatic pathological changes were milder in the RSE groups than in the model group. Conclusion: RSE has obviously therapeutic effects on alcoholic liver disease in rat. The mechanisms may be relative to reducing lipid peroxide and protecting the structure of hepatocyte via enhancing the abilities of the free radical scavenging and antilipoperoxidant activities.