ANTI–HYPERBILIRUBINEMIC EFFECT OF FRUCTUS GARDENIAE EXTRACTS

Abstract

The anti-hyperbilirnbinemic activity of Fructus Gardeniae was observed in rats suffering from obstructive jaundice. The alcoholic extract was found to be more effective than the aqueous extract; the latter showed some toxic effects. The toxic ingredients seemed to be more soluble in water than in alcohol. In the present animal model, a 30 % drop in serum bilirubin was obtained by using alcoholic extract at a dose of 2 grams dry material equivalent. Fractionation of the active alcoholic extract in an alumina column indicated that the active principle(s) had a broad range of polarity. By comparing with diuretic compounds, it was shown that the active anti-hyperbilirubinemic principle(s) acted through a specific pharmacological action other than diuresis.