[Objective] To explore the energy mechanism of volatile oil from Bupleurum chinense DC. for hepatotoxic injury. [Method] Volatile oil from B. chinense at the dose of 0.19, 0.28 and 0.42 ml/kg was given to rats by intragastric administration for 15 d continually. The changes in respiratory function, ATP content and ATPases activity of hepatic mitochondrion were detected. [Result] Compared with normal control group, the respiratory control rate (RCR) and phosphorus/oxygen rate (P/O) reduced from (1.76±0.28)% and (1.28±0.38) to (0.76±0.12)% and (0.71±0.21) in volatile oil from B. chinense 0.42 ml/kg group respectively, and the respiratory oxygen uptake were reduced from (2. 82±0. 64) to (1.04±0.23) mol/min·g. ATP content was reduced from (1.00±0.18) to (0.72±0.13) μmol per gram of protein, and activities of Na+-K+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase from (0.94±0.14), (0.95±0.14) and (0.97±0.16) mmol/h·g protein to (0.53±0.08), (0.67±0.10) and (0. 65±0.11) mmol/h·g protein, respectively. Compared with normal control group, RCR, P/O, respiratory oxygen uptake, ATP content and ATPases activities in volatile oil from B. chinense 0.28 and 0.19 ml/kg groups were also significantly reduced.[Conclusion] Volatile oil from B. chinense can cause hepatotoxicity in rats by inhibiting function of hepatic mitochondrion and influencing the energy metabolism of the liver. [Objective] To explore the energy mechanism of volatile oil from Bupleurum chinense DC. For hepatotoxic injury. [Method] Volatile oil from B. chinense at the dose of 0.19, 0.28 and 0.42 ml / kg was given to rats by intragastric administration for 15 The changes in respiratory function, ATP content and ATPases activity of hepatic mitochondria were detected. [Result] Compared with normal control group, the respiratory control rate (RCR) and phosphorus / oxygen rate (P / O) reduced from (1.76 ± 0.28)% and (1.28 ± 0.38) to (0.76 ± 0.12)% and (0.71 ± 0.21) in volatile oil from B. chinense 0.42 ml / kg group respectively, and the respiratory oxygen uptake were reduced from 0.64) to (1.04 ± 0.23) mol / min · g. ATP content was reduced from (1.00 ± 0.18) to (0.72 ± 0.13) μmol per gram of protein, and activities of Na + -K + -ATPase, Mg2 + -ATPase (0.95 ± 0.14) and (0.97 ± 0.16) mmol / h · g protein to (0.53 ± 0.08), (0.67 ± 0.10) and (0.65 ± 0.11) mmol / h · g protei Compared with normal control group, RCR, P / O, respiratory oxygen uptake, ATP content and ATPases activities in volatile oil from B. chinense 0.28 and 0.19 ml / kg groups were also significantly reduced. [Conclusion] Volatile oil from B. chinense can cause hepatotoxicity in rats by inhibiting function of hepatic mitochondrion and influencing the energy metabolism of the liver.