Lycium barbarum polysaccharides protect mice liver from carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress and necroinflammation

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Lycium barbarum has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine to nourish liver, kidneys and the eyes.

Aim of the study

We investigated the protective mechanisms of Wolfberry, Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced acute liver injury.

Materials and methods

Mice were intraperitoneally injected with a 50 μl/kg CCl₄ to induce acute hepatotoxicity (8 h) and were orally fed with LBP 2 h before the CCl₄ injection. There were six experimental groups of mice (n = 7-8 per group), namely: control mice (vehicle only; 1 mg/kg LBP or 10 mg/kg LBP), CCl₄-treated mice and CCl₄ + LBP treated mice (1 mg/kg LBP or 10 mg/kg LBP).

Results

Pre-treatment with LBP effectively reduced the hepatic necrosis and the serum ALT level induced by CCl₄ intoxication. LBP remarkably inhibited cytochrome P450 2E1 expression and restored the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes. It also decreased the level of nitric oxide metabolism and lipid peroxidation induced by CCl₄. LBP attenuated hepatic inflammation via down-regulation of proinflammatory mediators and chemokines. Furthermore, LBP promoted liver regeneration after CCl₄ treatment. The protective effects of LBP against hepatotoxicity were partly through the down-regulation of nuclear factor kappa-B activity.

Conclusion

LBP is effective in reducing necroinflammation and oxidative stress induced by a chemical toxin, thus it has a great potential use as a food supplement in the prevention of hepatic diseases.