OBJECTIVETo investigate the anti-inflammatory efficacy accompanied by side effects of water extract and alcohol extract of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizome (STRR), their molecular mechanism, and interpret the relationship of "toxicity-effect" of toxic medicine.

METHODThe ear swelling by croton oil and granuloma by agar test models were used, water extract and alcohol extract of STRR of different dosages were administrated ig to mice to observe the assident toxicity, at the same time the activities of ALT, AST and the content of SOD, MDA,PEG2, NO, NOS, Cr, BUN, GSH, TG and Gn in serum were tested.

RESULTBoth water extract and alcohol extract of STRR have a strong inhibitory effect on ear swelling by croton oil and granuloma by agar. The activities of ALT, AST in serum were higher than that of normal group. SOD, MDA, PEG2, NO, NOS, GSH, TG and Gn had obvious changes.

CONCLUSIONBoth water extract and alcohol extract of STRR had an anti-inflammatory effect on acute and chronic inflammation. At the same time, side effects and liver toxicity. The anti-inflammatory effect of STRR in probable relation to the reduced inflammatory mediators release. Oxidative damnification might be one of the liver injury mechanism.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; metabolism ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; isolation & purification ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Sophora ; chemistry