LIVER FUNCTION-PROTECTING OR -IMPROVING AGENT

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a liver function-protecting or -improving agent, to provide food and drink or feed having a liver function-protecting action or -improving action, and to obtain an additive for the food and drink or an additive for the feed having the liver function-protecting action or -improving action, and to provide a method for screening the liver function-protecting or -improving agent. SOLUTION: This liver function-protecting or -improving agent contains a saxifragaceous plant body or an extract thereof as active ingredient. The food and drink or the feed is given by adding the saxifragaceous plant body or the extract thereof. The additive for the food and drink or the additive for the feed having the liver function-protecting action or -improving action is given by adding the saxifragaceous plant body or the extract thereof. The method for screening the liver function-protecting or -improving agent comprises administering a substance to be subjected to screening to an animal the blood of which is usually increased in a GTP(glutamic-pyruvic transaminase) or GOT(glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase) value by administration of a lipopolysaccaride after administration of alcohol and evaluating how the substance decreases the GPT or GOT value in the blood of the animal.