Abstract: Objective To study the "dose-time-toxicity" relationship of hepatotoxicity caused by single dose peppermint oil and water extract of Herba Menthae to mice. Methods Mice are grouped according to different time or dose points, to observe the death condition and toxicity of mice, detect ALT, AST in serum, calculate liver, spleen, thymus index. Results Compared with the control group, ALT, AST level in serum of water extracted components are peaked after 12 hours' administration, and restored near normality after 48 hours; ALT, AST level in serum of water extract components are peaked after 8 hours' administration, and AST level in serum of water extract components are peaked after 8 hours' administration, and restored near normality after 48 hours; The peppermint oil of (0.2~0.5) mL·kg-1 and water extract of (3.0~64.0) g·kg-1 have obvious damage to the liver organization, and ALT, AST inserum increased significantly with the dose increasing. Conclusion The peppermint oil and water extract gavaged certain dose one time to mice could cause obvious acute hepatotoxicity, and there were certain time-toxicity and dose-toxicity relationships.

Key words: Herba Menthae, peppermint oil and water extract, mice, hepatotoxicity, "dose-time-toxicity" relationship