To observe the effect of Shuangcao Tuihuang Granule-1 (SCTH-1) in treating severe jaundice of acute icterohepatitis and to study its mechanism. Thirty-four patients with severe jaundice of acute icterohepatitis were treated with conventional western medicine and SCTH-1

the therapeutic effects were analyzed and compared with that in the control group (treated with western medicine alone). In the animal experimental studies

the influences of SCTH-1 on acute liver injury

liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) and serum ALT and AST in mice were monitored. The markedly effective rate in the treated group and the control group was 73. 5% and 59.1% respectively

and the effective rate was 23.5% and 40. 9% respectively. The markedly effective rate in the treated group was obviously higher than that in the control group (P <0.05). Experimental study showed that SCTH-1 could reduce the level of serum transaminase and liver tissue damage in mice with acute liver damage. In addition

SCTH-1 could raise the activity of liver SOD (p<0. 05). SCTH-1 could accelerate the jaundice subsidence

improve the liver function and ameliorate the liver injury

its mechanism was possibly correlated with raising SOD activity and scavenging oxygen free radicals.