Hepatoprotective effects of berberine on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats.

Background: Berberine is an active compound in Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) with multiple pharmacological activities including antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering and anticancer effects. The present study aims to determine the hepatoprotective effects of berberine on serum and tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, the histology in tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats aged seven weeks were injected intraperitoneally with 50% CCl4 in olive oil.

Bear bile: dilemma of traditional medicinal use and animal protection.

Bear bile has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Modern investigations showed that it has a wide range of pharmacological actions with little toxicological side effect and the pure compounds have been used for curing hepatic and biliary disorders for decades. However, extensive consumption of bear bile made bears endangered species.