[Protective mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Paeonia lactiflora for experimental liver damage].

Experimental model of acute liver damage with D-galactosamine was made. Thereafter, Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) and Paeonia lactiflora (PL) were given to the rats. Survival rate of rats and liver coefficient (liver weight/body weight) were observed. Changes of ALT and bilirubin in serum were detected. Level of plasma fibronectin (PFN) was determined at various times. Changes of pathological histology under microscope and electron-microscope were observed. The results showed that SM and PL could increase plasma fibronectin levels in rats, and improve the reticuloendothelial system function and plasma opsonic activity. Aggregation of microaggregated albumin, collagen fragment and immune complexes were markedly reduced. Liver immune damage and microcirculation disorder were avoided. Meanwhile, PFN could cause increase of phagocytosis of Kupffer cell to endotoxin. It is concluded that SM and PL play an important role in protective hepatocyte.