Objective: To investigate the role of Smilax glabra in the protective effect of acute mercury poisoning in rats. Method: The rats were divided into five groups:normal control group

model group

high

middle and low dose of S. glabra group.The control group was only given 0.9% saline by subcut aneousinjection andthe other groupswere injected with HgCl2 of 2.5 mg·kg-1 once a day for two days

the high

middle and low dose of S. glabra group were orally given twice a day for three days after the last injection

the influence of S. glabra aqueous extract on the serum blood urea nitrogen(BUN)

lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)

the urinary protein

the levels of mercury in urine

renal cortex and liver and the renal histopathological changeswereobserved. Result: Compared with the blank control group

the serum BUN

the urinary activities of LDH and ALP

the urinary protein

and the levels of mercury in urine

renal cortex and liverfrom the chlorinated mercury groupwere increased significant(P<0.01).Further more

compared with the model group

the serum BUN

the urinary activities of LDH and ALP

the urinary protein

and the levels of mercury in urine

renal cortex and liver from the high or medium S. glabra aqueous extract group were reduced significant(P<0.01 or P<0.05). The results of kidney pathological histology observation showedc that S. glabra had an obviously improvementon the acute mercury poisoningrats. Conclusion: S. glabra can improve the liver and kidney function of mercury poisoning in rats and decrease the accumulation of mercury in vivo

the S.glabra shows definite preventive and therapeutic effect on acute mercury poisoned rats.