Objective To research the effect of Emodin （EMD） and Rheum tanguticum polysaccharide （RTP） on lipid peroxidation and liver function in copper-overloaded rats. Methods Sixty Wistar rats were randomized into the control group

model group and treatment group

with 20 in each. The rat models were established with copper-overloaded diet for eight weeks. The treatment group was intragastrically administrated with 200 mg/ （kg·d） EMD and RTP. The other two groups were given normal saline. The treatment lasted for four weeks. The levels of malondialdehyde （MDA）

superoxide dismutase （SOD）

glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）

alanine aminotransferase （ALT）

aspartate aminotransferase （AST）

total bilirubin （TBiL） and albumin （ALB） were observed. Results Comparing with the control group

the levels of MDA

ALT

AST and TBiL were significantly increased （P<0.01） but the levels of SOD

GSH-Px and ALB were significantly decreased （P<0.05 or P<0.01） in the model group. Comparing with the model group

the levels of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly increased （P<0.05 or P<0.01） but the levels of MDA

ALT

AST and TBiL were significantly decreased （P<0.05 or P<0.01） in the treatment group. There was no significant difference between the model group and treatment group in the ALB level （P>0.05）. Conclusion The combination of EMD and RTP can inhibit the lipid peroxidation and improve liver function in copper-overloaded rats.