Abstract

The hepatotoxic effect of a dried root extract of Aralia mandshurica over a period of 60 days (0.16 g/kg, 1.5 g/kg and 3 g/kg) was studied in Landrace pigs of both sexes. The toxic effect of Aralia mandshurica was evaluated by measuring serum alanine amino transferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (gGT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP). Blood samples were obtained by venopuncture on days 0, 7, 30, and 60 after the administration of Aralia mandshurica and the body weight was registered weekly. At the end of the experiment the liver was examined histologically. The levels of ALT and gGT were increased significantly with all the concentrations of Aralia mandshurica at day 60. A subclinical hepatitis characterized by the presence of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclears in the portal and periportal region was observed. An hepatobiliary toxic effect of Aralia mandshurica dried root extract after chronic administration in pigs is concluded.