Abstract: AIM: To investigate the protective effect of curcumin(Cur) on concanavalin A(Con A)-induced liver injury in mice and the potential mechanism.METHODS: Forty ICR mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group,model group,Cur 100 mg/kg group and Cur 200 mg/kg group. Cur 100 mg/kg group and Cur 200 mg/kg group were administrated with Cur at the dosage of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg via intragastric respectively for 10 days continuously. Normal control group and model group were accepted with the same volume of normal saline by the same means. In the 4th hour after the last administration,the mice were injected with Con A at the dosage of 20 mg/kg via the tail vein . The levels of ALT and AST in serum and the activity or content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ma1ondialdehtyde(MDA) in liver were measured in the 8th hour after injection of Con A, and the histopathological examination was also performed for liver tissue.RESULTS: Compared with the model group, Cur significantly down-regulated the levels of ALT, AST and MDA.Inversely, the activity of SOD was elevated. Hepatic histopathological changes were alleviated.CONCLUSION: Cur has protective effect on Con A-induced liver injury.This may be implemented by inhibiting oxidative stress.

Key words: Curcumin, Liver injury, Concanavalin A, Oxidative stress