Abstract: Objective Study the "dosage-time-toxicity" relationship of hepatotoxicity induced by different components of Radix et Rhizoma Sophorae Tonkinensis(RRST) in mice. Methods Study on the "time-toxicity"relationship: Ig water extract and alcohol extract of RRST of certain dosage to mice and the changes of the level of ALT, AST in serum and organ index of liver,spleen and thoracic gland were tested at different time points after administration, the same time the hepar-pathology test was performed with light microscope. Study on the "dosage-toxicity"relationship: Ig water extract and alcohol extract of RRST of different dosages to mice and the corresponding treatment was performed at 6h/4h after administration in accordance with the method of study on"time-toxicity"relationship. Results The study on the "time-toxicity" relationship indicated that the level of ALT, AST in serum reached to the peak at 6h/4h after once administration of water extract and alcohol extract of RRST of higher dosage and the liver index rised to its topmost both at 12h.They all recovered to normal value at 48h after ig. The study on the "dosage-toxicity" relationship indicated that conspicuous hepartotoxical injury can be induced by water extract of RRST of (1.789~3.494)g·kg^-1 and alcohol extract of (2.779~5.427)g·kg^-1 and the level of ALT, AST increased significantly with the increase of dosage. Karyopycnosis and degeneration of different degrees of hepatic cells can be seen with the light microscope. Conclusion Once oral administration of water extract and alcohol extract of RRST with large dosage may induce acute hepatotoxical injury in mice and show an obvious "dosage-time-toxicity" relationship.

Key words: Radix et Rhizoma Sophorae Tonkinensis, hepatotoxicity, "dosage-time-toxicity" relationship