Effect of gomisin A in the prevention of acute hepatic failure induction.

Nearly all rats develop massive hepatic cell necrosis and die upon intravenous administration of heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes followed by a small amount of Gram-negative lipopolysaccharide 7 days later. However, when such an experimental liver disorder is induced in rats raised for 4 or more weeks on food containing 0.06% of gomisin A extracted and purified from Schizandra chinensis, the survival rate rises, histological changes of the liver improve remarkably, and splenocyte reactivity to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen as well as splenocyte interleukin 1 productivity are retained. These results suggested the possibility that the development of acute hepatic failure may be prevented with the oral administration of gomisin A.