Objective      To investigate the hepatic protective effect of Swertia mussotii Franch alcohol extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cholestatic liver damage in rats

and its influence on the expression of hepatic bile acid transporters bile salt export pump (BSEP) an

d  nuclear receptor farnesoid X-receptor (FXR).       Methods      Twenty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=5 per group): normal saline group

alcohol extract group

LPS + normal saline group

and LPS+alcohol extract  group. Bile flow rate was detected in 16 h after injection

and then liver samples and blood serum were collected. Hepatic biochemical indicators (ALT

AST

and TBiL) were detected by a biochemical analyzer. Expressions of BSEP and FXR at mRNA and protein levels were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.       Results      In the LPS+normal saline group

the levels of ALT

AST and TBil in serum were significantly higher

while bile flow rate was obviously lower than in the normal saline group (

P

0.05). In the LPS+alcohol extract  group

the levels of ALT

AST and TBil were significantly lower

while bile flow rate was obviously higher than in the LPS+normal saline group (

P

0.05). In the alcohol extract group

the protein expression of BSEP was higher than in the normal saline group (

P

0.05). However

there was no obviously alteration detected at the mRNA level. Furthermore

the expression of FXR which was closely related to the regulation of BSEP appeared no notable change. In the LPS+normal saline group

the protein expression of BSEP was significantly lower than in the normal saline group (

P

0.05). In the LPS+alcohol extract group

the protein expression of BSEP was significantly higher than in the LPS+normal saline group (

P

0.05). However

there was no obviously alteration detected at the mRNA level between these groups.       Conclusion      Swertia mussotii Franch alcohol extract significantly reduces LPS-induced cholestatic liver damage in rats

which may involves up-regulation of hepatic bile acid transporter BSEP at a post-transcriptional level.