Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of mugwort extracts on the blood ethanol concentration and liver function in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were used, the rats administered with 25% ethanol (5g/kg$.$B.W.) were devided into three groups (CON-E ; 25% ethanol administered to the CON-E) according to the administered ethanol concentration and the levels of administered mugwonts. Mugwont roots extracts were administered via the caudal vein. Ethanol concentration was measured at the time of 0, 1, 2 and 3hr by gas chromatography. GOT(Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase) and GPT(Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase) were measured at the time of 0 and 5hr. Components of each extracts were analyzed by using high performance liquid chromatography. Cell number, GOT and GPT were investigated by using rat hepatocyte culture. Megwort extracts were added at the levels of 1% or 2%. Hepatocyte culture were into five groups according to the addition levels. The results were summarized as follows ; 1. Catechin contents of 8∼10mg/100g and the contents of (-)-epigallocatechin was high in the water extracts. 2. Ethanol degradation efficiency declines in the following order : MDW-E＞MOH-E＞CON-E. 3. The numbers of rat hepatocytes declines in the following order : 2% MDW-L＞1%MDW-L＞1%MOH-L＞CON-L＞2%MOH-L. These results suggest that crude catechin of mugwort extracts may play important roles to degrade ethanol and recover liver function in rats.
