Hepatoprotective activity of aqueous-methanol extract of Artemisia vulgaris

The effect of a crude extract of the aerial parts of Artemisia vulgaris (Av.Cr) was investigated against D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced hepatitis in mice. Co-administration of D-GalN (700 mg[sol ]kg) and LPS (1 microg[sol ]kg) significantly (p < 0.05) raised the plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in mice in the toxin group compared with the values in the control group. Pre-treatment of mice with different doses of Av.Cr (150-600 mg[sol ]kg) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the toxin-induced rise in plasma ALT and AST. The hepatoprotective effect was further verified by histopathology of the liver, which showed improved architecture, absence of parenchyma congestion, decreased cellular swelling and apoptotic cells, compared with the findings in the toxin group of animals. These findings scientifically validated the traditional use of Artemisia vulgaris for various liver disorders.     

Hepatoprotective effect of Filipendula hexapetala Gilib. (Rosaceae) in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The influence of methanol extract produced from the flowers of Filipendula hexapetala Gilib. (Rosaceae) on some liver biochemical parameters in rats intoxicated with carbon tetrachloride (CTC) was evaluated in this study. The results Obtained revealed that pretreatment with the extract investigated inhibited CTC-induced liver injury by decreasing lipid peroxidation and increasing the content of reduced glutathione in a dosage dependent manner, bringing the levels of all antioxidant enzymes close to control values. The administration of CTC diminished hepatic antioxidant defense mechanisms by significant reduction of peroxidase and catalase activities. The catalase activity was significantly recovered in groups treated with the extract investigated and intoxicated with a single CTC dose. A similar impact on hepatic peroxidase activity has also been observed, indicating a partial detoxication of hydrogen peroxide by both catalase and peroxidase.     

Hepatoprotective effects of propolis extract on paracetamol-induced liver damage in mice

The effects of propolis extract were studied in a model of acute hepatotoxicity induced by a high oral dose (600 mg/kg) of paracetamol in mice. Propolis at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p. decreased significantly the activity of alanine aminotransierase in serum, which was increased by paracetamol alone and increased the concentration of reduced glutathione in mouse liver, which is depleted by paracetamol. Propolis extract also reduced liver damage induced by paracetamol in mice, which was observed by optical and electron microscopy. The hepatoprotective effects of propolis were produced when administered 30 min before paracetamol or 2 h after it. It is concluded that propolis exerts some effects which resemble those of N-acetylcysteine, the well-known antidote of paracetamol.     

Hepatoprotective effects of Pluchea indica (less) extract in experimental acute liver damage in rodents

The methanol fraction of the extract of Pluchea indica roots exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against experimentally induced hepatotoxicity by carbon tetrachloride in rats and mice. The extract caused significant reduction of the elevated serum enzyme levels (AST, ALT, LDH and serum alkaline phosphatase) and serum bilirubin content in acute liver injury. A significant increase of reduced serum total protein, albumin and albumin/globulin ratio was also observed on extract treatment. The extract significantly reduced the prolonged pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and also caused a significant reduction of plasma prothrombin time in comparison with CCl₄-treated animals. The extract caused significant reduction of the increased bromosulphalein retention by CCl₄-treatment. These findings are suggestive of a potent hepatoprotective effect of the extract under investigation.     

Hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract of Eclipta alba on experimental liver damage in rats and mice

An alcoholic extract of freshly collected Eclipta alba exhibited dose-dependent (62.5–500.0 mg/kg p.o.) significant hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats and mice. It indicated its protective role on parameters such as hexobarbitone-induced sleep, zoxazolamine-induced paralysis, bromosulphalen (BSP) clearance, serum levels of transaminases, bilirubin and protein. The extract did not show any signs of toxicity and the minimum lethal dose was greater than 2.0 g/kg when given orally and intraperitoneally in mice.     

夏枯草提取物的药理作用和研究进展

夏枯草为临床常用中药,具有清火明目、软坚散结的功效。夏枯草常用提取物为水提取物、醇提取物、乙酸乙酯提取物,3种提取物具有抗肿瘤、抗菌消炎、免疫调节、清除自由基及抗氧化、抑制病毒生长等多种药理作用。现综合近年来国内外文献报道,对夏枯草提取物的药理作用进行综述,为其研究和临床应用提供参考。     

Hepatoprotective and antihyperliposis activities of in vitro cultured Anoectochilus formosanus

The pharmacological effects of an aqueous extract of the whole plants of in vitro cultured Anoectochilus formosanus were investigated experimentally for hepatoprotective and antihyperliposis activities. The extract showed significant antihepatotoxic activity against carbon tetrachloride induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. In an assay for antihyperliposis using aurothioglucose-induced obese mice, the extract suppressed significantly the increase in the weights of body and liver, ameliorated triglyceride levels in the liver and serum, and also significantly reduced the deposition of adipose tissue.     

草棉花花瓣提取物对大鼠肝损伤的保护作用

目的：探讨草棉花花瓣采用不同工艺提取的黄酮类化合物即提取物Ⅰ(FGF-Ⅰ)和提取物Ⅱ(FGF-Ⅱ)对D-氨基半乳糖(D-GalN)引起的实验性肝损伤的保护作用并比较2种提取物的作用强度，对药物筛选提供依据。方法：Wistar大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、阳性对照组(联苯双酯组，150 mg·kg^-1)、FGF-Ⅰ大、小剂量组(50，25 mg·kg^-1)和FGF-Ⅱ大、小剂量组(50，25 mg·kg^-1)7个组，腹腔注射350 mg·kg^-1的D-GalN造成急性肝损伤动物模型；观察2种提取物对血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)，肝组织匀浆超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活性等的影响。结果：对D-GalN引起的肝损伤动物模型FGF-Ⅰ和FGF-Ⅱ均能降低血清ALT，AST活性(P＜0.01)；FGF-Ⅰ大、小剂量组能增加肝组织SOD活性(P＜0.01)，大剂量可以降低MDA含量(P＜0.05)，但是对GSH-PX活性没有影响；FGF-Ⅱ大、小剂量组可以增加肝脏SOD，GSH-PX活性(P＜0.05)并可以降低MDA含量(P＜0.05)。结论：FGF-Ⅰ和FGF-Ⅱ均有一定的保肝作用， FGF-Ⅱ的作用优于FGF-Ⅰ。     

Hepatoprotective effect of flavonoid glycosides from Lespedeza cuneata against oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hyperoxide

The aerial parts of Lespedeza cuneata G. Don, perennial legume native to Eastern Asia, have been used therapeutically in traditional Asian medicine to protect the function of liver, kidneys and lungs. However, little is known about the pharmaceutical effect of extracts from this plant. In the present study, the aerial parts of L. cuneata were used to prepare an ethanol extract, which was then tested for hepatoprotective effects against injury by tert-butyl hyperoxide (t-BHP). At a dose of 20 μg/mL, the ethanol extract significantly protected HepG2 cells against the cytotoxicity of t-BHP. Further fractionation of the extract with ethyl acetate allowed the isolation of five flavonoid compounds that were structurally identified by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy as isovitexin, hirsutrin, trifolin, avicularin and quercetin. Hirsutrin, avicularin and quercetin (10 μM) showed clear hepatoprotective activity against injury by t-BHP in HepG2 cells, whereas isovitexin and trifolin showed no protective effects. The observed hepatoprotective effect of the investigated compounds showed a high correlation with radical scavenging activity, which followed the structure-activity relationships of the flavonoid aglycones.     

Antipyretic and analgesic studies of the ethanalic extract of Teclea nobilis delile

The crude ethanol extract of the leaves of an African medicinal plant Teclea nobilis has been studied for its antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The extract exhibited marked antipyretic and analgesic activities while it was found to be weakly active against carrageenin oedema.     

Hepatoprotective effect of Hypericum japonicum extract and its fractions

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of different parts of Hypericum japonicum against carbon tetrachloride(CCl(4))-induced hepatitis and alpha-naphthyl-isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were divided into groups and then administrated orally with solutions extracted from herbs before they were modeled in the experiments. Levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (T-BIL) in serum were evaluated. HPLC fingerprint was used for phytochemical analysis of the extracts. RESULTS: The total aqueous extract of Hypericum japonicum had an obvious effect on the decreasing of AST, ALT and T-BIL levels in serum. The isolated fraction IV (F4) exhibited a preferable activity of ameliorating cholestasis, while Fraction V (F5) was more efficacious in protecting liver from injury. Chemical fingerprint indicated that F5 contained several flavonoids which might be the active chemicals against hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Different fractions of Hypericum japonicum manifest different effect, indicating their different potentials as candidacies of new drugs.     

Hepatoprotective Effect of Some Edible Mushrooms

Seven locally available edible mushrooms were screened for their hepatoprotective activities using paracetamol (APAP)-induced liver injury in the rat as a model of chemical hepatitis. A single oral dose of 1.0 g/kg of APAP was able to produce significantly elevated levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT). Administraiton of 300 mg/kg of the extracts from Lentinus erodes, Grifola frondosa and Tricholoma lobayense could significantly reduce the APAP-induced acute elevation in the levels of SGPT and SGOT in rats. The mushroom crude drugs probably act to prevent the fall of hepatic reduced gluthanione (GSH) through some GSH-dependent enzymes and preserve the structural integrity of the cellular membrane of hepatocytes, or probably protect against paracetamol-induced liver injury through their antioxidant properties acting as a scavenger of free radicals even at low levels of GSH     

重楼对小鼠急性肝损伤保护作用的研究

目的:探讨重楼醇提物和水提物对四氯化碳(CCl4)所致小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法:小鼠随机分为9组,分别每天给予不同剂量的药物:重楼醇提物高、中、低剂量组(3.9、2.6、1.3 g/kg)、水提组的高、中、低剂量组(7.2、4.8、2.4g/kg)和联苯双酯(0.15 g/kg),正常组和模型组给予生理盐水。7d后,除正常对照组外各组小鼠腹腔注射0.1%CCl4制备急性肝损伤模型,16h后取血检测血清ALT、AST活性;测定肝组织匀浆中MDA含量和SOD、GSH的活性及观察肝脏病理学变化。结果:醇提组高剂量(3.9g/kg)和水提物高、中、低剂量(7.2、4.8、2.4g/kg)组均能降低CCl4所致急性肝损伤小鼠血清ALT、AST活性(P<0.01,P<0.05),降低肝脏MDA的含量、增强SOD和GSH活力(P<0.01,P<0.05),并能明显改善肝组织的病理学损伤。结论:重楼水提物对CCl4所致小鼠急性肝损伤具有较好保护作用。     

Hepatoprotective activity of indigtone--a bioactive fraction from Indigofera tinctoria Linn.

A bioactive fraction, indigtone (FA), obtained by fractionation of a petroleum ether extract of the aerial parts of Indigofera tinctoria, showed significant dose related hepatoprotective activity against CCl(4) induced liver injury in rats and mice. Hexobarbitone induced 'sleeptime', zoxazolamine induced 'paralysis time', levels of transaminases, bilirubin and total protein in serum were employed as indices of liver injury. Pre and post treatment with FA significantly reversed the majority of the parameters altered by the hepatotoxin. This indicated the preventive and restorative effect of FA in the process of CCl(4) induced liver damage. The fraction possessed a high therapeutic ratio, as no mortality was observed up to a dose of 2 g/kg p.o. in mice.     

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of the methanolic extract from Halenia elliptica

Aims of study

Halenia elliptica, a medicinal herb of Tibetan origin, was commonly used in folk medicine to treat hepatitis. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Halenia elliptica against experimentally induced liver injury.

Materials and methods

The antioxidant property of methanolic extract (ME) of Halenia elliptica was investigated by employing various established in vitro systems. The ME of Halenia elliptica was studied here for its hepatoprotective effects against CCl₄-induced liver toxicity in rats. Activity was measured by monitoring the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin.

Results

The ME possessed strong antioxidant activity in vitro. The results of CCl₄-induced liver toxicity experiment showed that rats treated with the ME of Halenia elliptica (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg), and also the standard treatment, silymarin (50 mg/kg), showed a significant decrease in ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin levels, which were all elevated in the CCl₄ group (p < 0.01). The results observed after administration of 100 mg/kg ME were comparable to those of silymarin at 50 mg/kg (p > 0.05). The ME did not show any mortality at doses up to 2000 g/kg body weight.

Conclusion

These results seem to support the traditional use of Halenia elliptica in pathologies involving hepatotoxicity, and the possible mechanism of this activity may be due to strong free radical-scavenging and antioxidant activities of ME.     

Antiproliferation of keratinocytes and alleviation of psoriasis by the ethanol extract of Artemisia capillaris

The therapeutic potentials of the ethanol extract of Artemisia capillaris (ACE) for psoriasis were verified in HaCaT cells (as an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line) and imiquimod (IMQ)‐induced psoriasis‐like mouse models. In HaCaT cells, IC₅₀ value of ACE was 37.5 μg/ml after incubating for 72 hr. The antiproliferation activity of ACE in HaCaT cells was further verified by apoptosis assays. The percentage of apoptotic population in ACE‐treated group was significantly higher than that of control group (p < .05). The result of cell cycle arrest assay also supported the observed antiproliferation efficacy of ACE in HaCaT cells. In IMQ‐induced psoriasis‐like mouse models, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score of ACE (50 mg/ml; ACE50)‐treated group was significantly lower than that of IMQ group on Day 4 (p < .05). After topical application of ACE on psoriasis‐like lesion for 4 days, the epidermal thickness of (IMQ + ACE50) group was significantly lower than that of IMQ group (p < .05). The expression levels of Ki‐67 and intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 in excised skin tissues of (IMQ + ACE50) group were also lower than those of IMQ group. All these findings suggest that ACE can be used as a promising antipsoriatic agent.     

Biological activities of Prunella vulgaris extract

The organic fraction (OF; 25.7% w/w of rosmarinic acid) of Prunella vulgaris (total extract) was found to exhibit the following: scavenging activity on diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), inhibition of in vitro human LDL Cu(II)-mediated oxidation, protection of rat mitochondria and rat hepatocytes exposed to either tert-butyl hydroperoxide, or to Cu(II) and Fe(III) ions. OF also showed a potential to inhibit rat erythrocyte haemolysis and it reduced the production of LTB(4) in bovine PMNL generated by the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. Other observations included antiproliferative effects against HaCaT cells and mouse epidermal fibroblasts and a moderate OF antimicrobial activity on gram-positive bacteria. Rosmarinic, caffeic and 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)lactic acids exhibited less potent activity than the plant extract in all bioassays. The antioxidative, antimicrobial, together with antiviral effects offer good prospects for the medicinal applications of P. vulgaris.     

柚皮中柚皮苷的乙醇提取工艺研究

目的 探讨柚皮中柚皮苷的乙醇提取最佳工艺条件。方法 运用正交试验法考察乙醇浓度，提取温度，提取时间和乙醇用量对提取率的影响，采用两步结晶法对提取物中的柚皮苷进行精制。结果 柚皮中柚皮苷的乙醇提取最佳工艺条件为25倍原料重的70%乙醇，60℃条件下保温浸提1h；两步结晶法所得柚皮苷精制品的纯度为90.01%。结论 采用本实验所确定的提取及精制方法可使柚皮中柚皮苷得到有效提取和分离。     

黄连、五倍子醇提物对罗非鱼源性链球菌生长曲线的影响

目的:探讨黄连、五倍子醇提物对罗非鱼源性链球菌抑制活性。方法:采用BHI(脑心浸液肉汤)固体培养基琼脂稀释法分别检测黄连、五倍子醇提物对链球菌的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)和最小杀菌浓度(MBC);选取五倍子生药质量浓度MIC(3.125 g.L-1)为该实验的低浓度、2倍MIC为中质量浓度(6.25 g.L-1)、3倍MIC为高质量浓度(9.375 g.L-1)。黄连生药质量浓度MIC(13.33 g.L-1)为低浓度、MBC(20.00 g.L-1)为中浓度、2倍MIC(26.67 g.L-1)为高浓度。挑取链球菌单菌落于各组中,搅拌后,于37℃200 r.min-1的条件下培养,于0.5,1.5,2.5,3.5,4.5,5.5,6.5,7.5,8.5 h取样,计算菌落数,并绘制体外杀菌曲线,观察低、中、高浓度下黄连和五倍子醇提物链球菌的动态杀菌过程。结果:五倍子醇提物低浓度和中浓度、高浓度分别在2.5,0.5 h出现抑菌作用。高、中、低浓度分别在6.5,8.5,8.5 h达到杀菌效果。黄连醇提物各浓度在0.5 h出现抑菌作用。高、中,低浓度分别在2.5,4.5,4.5 h达到杀菌效果。结论:黄连和五倍子均有较强的体外抑菌杀菌作用,特别是黄连,使无乳链球菌无正常生长周期,直接进入衰竭期,达到杀菌效果。     

Antidepressant effect of Yueju-Wan ethanol extract and its fractions in mice models of despair

AIM OF THE STUDY: Yueju-Wan (YJ), a traditional Chinese medicinal formula, is commonly used for the treatment of depression-related syndromes in China. This study was conducted to evaluate the antidepressant activity of YJ ethanol extract (YJ-E) and its four different fractions, the petroleum ether fraction (YJ-EA), ethyl acetate fraction (YJ-EB), n-butanol fraction (YJ-EC) and final aqueous fraction (YJ-ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two experimental despair animal models: the mice tail suspension test (TST) and the mice forced swimming test (FST) were used to evaluate the antidepressant activity of YJ-E and its fractions. These extracts or fractions were administered orally for 7 days, while the parallel positive control was given at the same time using fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLU) in TST and imipramine hydrochloride (IMI) in FST respectively. RESULTS: YJ-E high dose (YJ-E2), YJ-EA, YJ-EC and the positive control groups could decrease the duration of immobility in the TST and FST and have no significant changes in locomotor activity. YJ-E low dose (YJ-E1), YJ-EB, YJ-ED and the vehicle solvent (VEH) control group have no obvious effect on these same tests. CONCLUSIONS: In these despair animal models, YJ ethanol extract, the petroleum ether fraction and n-butanol fraction show potent antidepressant effects. The petroleum ether fraction and n-butanol fraction appear to be the active fractions of YJ-E.