The effect of curcumin on lipopolysaccharide/d-galactosamine (LPS/GalN)-induced acute shock model of liver injury was examined in mice. The simultaneous administration of LPS (5-20 mu g kg(-1), i.p.) and GalN (700 mg kg(-1), i.p.) markedly increased the serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase/glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GOT/GPT), and massive hepatic necrosis and inflammation, leading to 100% lethality. Pre-administration of curcumin (100 mg kg(-1), i.p.) 3 h before induction with LPS/GalN imparted a large extent of protection against acute elevation in serum TNF-alpha and serum GOT/GPT. Hepatic necrosis and lethality caused by LPS/GalN was also greatly reduced by curcumin treatment. The results demonstrated that curcumin could protect mice from LPS/GalN-induced hepatic injury and inflammation through blockading TNF-alpha production, eventually raising the survival rate of septic-shock-induced mice.