Abstract: Objective The obvious toxic symptoms and signs, the toxic damage extents and reversibility were observed in rats caused by water extract and volatile oil components of Folium Artemisiae Argyi. Methods The 140 rats were divided into seven groups such as normal group、water extract components and volatile oil of high, medium and low dose. The general including the bodyweight、diet and behavior were observed, the blood routine, the biochemical indicators, organ/bodyweight rate, the important organs such as heart、liver、spleen、lung、kidney、brain and et al. and pathological changes were detected after 21 days administrated, and then we continued to observe the 20 days recovery period after drug discontinuance. Results The Wistar rat's weight、diet and drinking were decreased; the serum ALT、AST、AKP、TPC were increased; the ALB and the rate of A/G were decreased; the liver weight and volume ratio were increased after given volatile oil and water extract components from Folium Artemisiae Argyi to Wistar rats by There was little affect for routine blood and renal function; the damage of liver toxicity in rats show an obvious dosage relationship. and after 20 days, the partial lesions were irreversible. Conclusion The main chronic toxical damage is hepatic injury in rats caused by water extract and volatile oil components of Folium Artemisiae Argyi especially the volatile oil, and part of the lesions were irreversible.

Key words: Folium Artemisiae Argyi, different components, rats, chronic toxicity