Abstract: Objective To study the "dosage-time-toxicity" relationship of hepatotoxicity induced by multiple intragastric administration of water extracted and volatile oil components of Folium Artemisiae Argyi to mice. Methods Mice are grouped according to different time or dose points, to observe the death condition and toxicity of mice. The changes of the activity of ALT, AST and liver, kidney index were detected. Results On the first day after administration the hepatotoxicity which displayed with obvious increase of activity in serum ALT, AST and hepar index appeared. On the 3th day the hepatotoxicity kept a higher level that the active units in serum ALT, AST were significantly higher than the normal group. On the 7th day after administration ALT, AST level in serum are restored near normality. Compared with the normal group, within 7 days after the administration, water extracted components in (1.14~9.0) g·kg-1 doses of scope, volatile oil components in (0.13~0.25) ml·kg-1 doses of scope, they all cause significant damage to liver, the activity of ALT, AST, AKP, TBI elevated, while ALB reduced, and liver ratio increased, it shows there were obvious "dosage-time-toxicity" relations, Hepatotoxic effects volatile oil components > water extracted components. Conclusion Multiple intragastric administrations of water extracted and volatile oil components of Folium Artemisiae Argyi with certain dosage may induce acute hepatotoxical injury in mice and show an obvious "dosage-time-toxicity" relationship.

Key words: Folium Artemisiae Argyi, water extracted and volatile oil components, "dosage-time-toxicity"relationship