Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect ofphytosterolfrom Momordica charantia on paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in mice.Forty-eight mice were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,bifendate group,phytosterol low,medium and high-dose (50,100,and 200 mg/kg) groups,with eight mice in each group.Mice in phytosterol low,medium and high-dose groups were administered with phytosterol for 7 d consecutively.After 7 days,all the mice were then intraperitoneally given paracetamol at a dose of 400 mg/kg.The levels of MDA,SOD,GSH-PX in hepatic tissue and ALT,AST,ALB,TP in serum were measured.Compared with phytosterol groups,in the model group,the level of MDA increased while activities of SOD and GSH-PX decreased in hepatic tissue;the activities of ALT,AST in serum increased significantly while the levels of ALB,TP decreased.Phytosterol had good protective effect on paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in mice.Enhancing defense enzyme activities and eliminating free radical in mice may be the action mechanism of phytosterol.

Key words: paracetamol, mice, hepatic damage, phytosterol, Momordica charantia