Abstract: Objective To compare the effects of the water extracts from Bupleuri Radix and vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix on L02 cells in vitro. Methods The effect of the water extracts from Bupleuri Radix and vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix on the growth of L02 cells were tested by CCK8 method. ALT, AST and LDH in the culture supernatant were determined by biochemical method. Results CCK8 method showed that the water extracts of Bupleuri Radix and vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix could inhibit the proliferation of L02 cells, and the cell viability was positively correlated with the dose which compared with the normal group. The cell inhibitory effect strength is the water extract of Bupleuri Radix > the water extract of the vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix. IC50 of the water extract from Bupleuri Radix and vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix which had acted 24 h, is respectively 1 173.87 and 1 205.59 mg·L-1. The results of biochemical assay showed that the content of ALT, AST and LDH increased. Conclusions The water extract of Bupleuri Radix and vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix all have toxic effects on L02 cells, and the inhibitory effect of the water extract from Bupleuri Radix on the growth of L02 cells was stronger than that of the water extracts from vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix.

Key words: Bupleuri Radix, vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix, toxicity, L02 cells