Aim: To investigate the protective effects of saponins from Panax japonicus (SPJ) on alcohol-induced hepatic injury and the potential mechanisms involved.Methods: SPJ (200 and 400 mg/kg) were given intragastrically to mice for one week.Alcohol (56％ alcohol at 15 mL/kg) was administered orally every 12 h for three times after 1 h of the fourth dose of SPJ.Liver injury was evaluated by biochemical and histopathological examination.Lipid peroxidation and the activity of antioxidants were measured by spectrophotometric method.