Acute effects of huperzine A and tacrine on rat liver.

AIM: To observe the acute effects of huperzine A and tacrine on rat liver. METHODS: Changes of liver coefficient, serum biochemistry, and histopathology were detected after single dose. In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed by determining extracellular and intracellular amount of lactate dehydrogenase in cultured hepatocytes. RESULTS: Both huperzine A and tacrine raised liver coefficient and increased serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Tacrine induced liver histopathologic changes. The acute effects of huperzine A on liver could be redressed by atropine, while effects of tacrine on liver could not. Concentration-dependent in vitro cytotoxicity occurred with tacrine, but not with huperzine A. CONCLUSION: The acute effects of huperzine A on rat liver are not related to hepatotoxicity. The acute effects of tacrine on rat liver are related to hepatotoxicity.