[Protective effects of the bark of Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc. on experimental liver injuries].

The methanol extract from the bark of Myrica rubra SIEB. et ZUCC. showed protective effects on liver injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) in rats. In this study, the fractions and some compounds from the bark of M. rubra were investigated for the protection against CCl4 inducing liver injuries in rats. The active principles for the protection were recognized in two fractions (M-3 and M-5 Fr. 1) obtained from the methanol extract, and one of the active principles in the fraction (M-3) was found to be myricanol 5-O-beta-D-(6'-O-galloyl)-glucopyranoside. In addition, these fractions protecting liver injuries induced by CCl4 showed significant protective effects against cholestasis induced by ANIT.