Choleretic and hepatoprotective properties of Eupatorium cannabinum in the rat.

According to our results, the traditional therapeutic indications of Eupatorium cannabinum L., choleretic and hepatoprotective effects, have been widely demonstrated. An aqueous extract induces hypercholeresis in the rat, the site of bile formation is canalicular in origin and both bile acid-dependent and bile acid-independent flows could be stimulated; the extract possesses anti-necrotic properties against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity, reducing widely the plasma GPT level in pretreated rats.