The hepatoprotective properties of altan (obtained on the basis of ellagotannines from the cones of black alder Alnus glutinosa) are studied on the model of acute damage to the liver with tetrachloromethane. It is found that altan exhibits the hepatoprotective activity even in a dose of 1 mg/kg which is tenfold smaller compared to the dose of traditional flavonoid-based drugs. Altan limits choleopoiesis disorder, has an antiinflammatory and membrane stabilizing effect, and recovers physiological antioxidant system.