Study of Hepatotoxicity and Neural Behavioral Changes of Sophora Flavescens and Matrine in Mice

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Sophora flavescens and the matrine on liver toxicity and neural behavioral changes in mice. METHODS Fifty ICR mice were randomly divided into control group, Sophora flavescens 1.5, 15 g·kg^-1 groups, matrine 10, 40 mg·kg^-1 groups. Mice in experiment were induced by intragastrical administration once a day for 60 days; the control group were given with the same volume of potable water. Neurobehavioral indexes which included balance, coordination ability and locomotor activity were determined before the first administration and after the last administration. The balance and coordination ability were performed by climbing-pole test. The activity changes of AST, ALT, AKP in plasma, the SOD activity and the MDA levels in liver were detected. RESULTS Compared with the control group, body weight, locomotor activity, balance and coordination ability in experimental groups exhibited a significant decrease. Meanwhile the activities of AST, ALT and AKP of Sophora flavescens 1.5 g·kg^-1 group, matrine 10 and 40 mg·kg^-1 groups increased with significantly statistical difference(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The contents of MDA decreased significantly while SOD activity had no change. CONCLUSION Sophora flavescens and matrine can cause hepatotoxicity and neural behavioral changes to mice with repeated administration.