Hepatotoxic action of a poisonous mushroom, Amanita abrupta in mice and its toxic component.

An aqueous extract of a poisonous mushroom, Amanita abrupta was injected intraperitoneally into male ICR mice and the acute effects on the liver were studied. Contents of serum glucose and liver glycogen decreased to 60% and 10% of the control levels, respectively, 6 h after injection. Activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase increased to 3- and 8-fold, respectively, 12 h after injection, and the elevated activities were maintained up to 24 h. Activities of the hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes were also reduced 15 h after injection. Histological examination demonstrated massive liver cell necrosis and disappearance of glycogen granules in the liver of the treated animals. Two amino acids, L-2-amino-4-pentynoic acid and L-2-amino-4,5-hexadienoic acid were identified in the mushroom extract. The former caused similar biochemical effects to those of the mushroom extract.