基于1H-NMR代谢组学技术寻找CCl4致大鼠急性肝损伤的代谢标志物

目的 采用核磁（¹H-NMR）代谢组学技术初步探讨四氯化碳（CCl₄）致大鼠急性肝损伤后血清代谢物变化规律。方法 SD大鼠随机分为空白、模型两组,模型组ip 40% CCl₄植物油溶液造成急性肝损伤模型,空白组注射等体积的植物油,造模24 h后股动脉取血,常规肝脏病理切片,取血前12 h禁食不禁水。比色法测定血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）含量,600 MHz NMR波谱仪分析血清中小分子代谢物代谢轮廓,并对数据进行多元统计分析。结果 模型组中ALT的含量显著升高,肝脏病理切片显示模型组大鼠的肝组织内形成很多空泡,肝细胞变大,坏死严重,有出血和大量中性粒细胞浸润;血清¹H-NMR代谢图谱中共鉴定了20个代谢物,并确认了6个与CCl₄致肝损伤相关的标志物。结论 常规血生化指标和肝病理切片结果与代谢组学的多元统计分析结果相一致,且代谢组学可发现引起肝损伤的代谢标志物。     

CCl4致大鼠慢性肝损伤模型参数优化及代谢组学评价

目的 研究CCl₄致大鼠慢性肝损伤模型的最佳造模剂量和时间,并进行代谢组学评价。方法 SPF级雄性SD大鼠随机分为6组,即对照组和10%、20%、30%、40%、50% CCl₄组。CCl₄组sc给予不同浓度的CCl₄大豆油溶液,注射体积为2 mL/kg,每周2次,连续8周,对照组给予等体积溶剂油。大鼠于造模0、2、4、6、8周末置代谢笼12 h收集尿液,取出后采用眼球后静脉丛穿刺法取静脉血0.3 mL,常规分离血清;4、6周末各处死3只大鼠,取肝脏;8周末造模后处死大鼠,分离各脏器,称质量计算脏器系数。观察动物体质量、肝脏外观和病理切片、全自动生化仪检测血清丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）和天门冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）。对10% CCl₄组尿液进行氢核磁共振（¹H-NMR）代谢组学测定,运用SPSS、MatLab7.5、SIMCA-P软件对数据进行分析。结果 对照组大鼠体质量保持增长;随着CCl₄剂量增高,各模型组大鼠体质量增长速度渐趋缓慢。造模8周后,与对照组比较,10% CCl₄组肝脏系数显著升高（P<0.01）,其他组肝脏系数无显著性变化;20%~50% CCl₄组的脾脏、肾脏系数,20%、40%、50% CCl₄组的肺脏系数均显著升高（P<0.05、0.01）。造模4周后,10% CCl₄组大鼠肝脏出现了慢性炎症表现,而20%~50% CCl₄组大鼠肝脏损伤明显,出现明显坏死现象;6周后,造模组大鼠肝脏均出现肝硬化病变。造模组大鼠血清ALT和AST与对照组比较均显著升高（P<0.05、0.01）,且均出现了先升高后降低趋势。代谢组学研究结果显示,造模4周起大鼠尿液与0周可以显著分离。共寻找到差异代谢物15个,6条重要的代谢通路,涉及能量代谢、脂质代谢、氨基酸和核苷酸代谢等途径。结论 慢性肝损伤模型造模剂量以10% CCl₄、2 mL/kg为宜,造模时间以4~6周为宜,代谢组学研究可以动态追踪造模过程。     

马尾松针叶聚戊烯醇对CCl4致大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用

目的观察马尾松针叶聚戊烯醇对CCl4所致大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法将SD大鼠随机均分为正常对照组、模型组、联苯双酯组(50 mg·kg-1)及聚戊烯醇低、中、高剂量组(10、20、40 mg·kg-1),连续7 d ig给予相应的药物后,ip含60%CCl4的橄榄油溶液,建立大鼠急性肝损伤模型,测定血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)的水平,在光镜下观察肝脏组织的病理学变化。结果马尾松针叶聚戊烯醇20、40 mg·kg-1剂量组能明显抑制急性肝损伤大鼠ALT、AST活性的升高,减轻CCl4引起的肝脏组织病理损伤。结论马尾松针叶聚戊烯醇对CCl4致大鼠急性肝损伤具有一定的保护作用。     

熊果酸对四氯化碳所致大鼠肝纤维化及门静脉高压的影响

目的 研究熊果酸(UA)对四氯化碳(CCl4)所致大鼠肝纤维化及门静脉高压的影响及其机制.方法 取120只实验用大鼠运用随机数字表法分为正常对照组、模型对照组、UA(10、20、40 mg·kg-1)组和秋水仙碱(0.1 mg·kg-1)组,每组20只;采用CCl4复合法复制肝纤维化门静脉高压大鼠模型;自造模第1天各组开始腹腔注射给药(正常对照组和模型对照组均给予等体积生理盐水),每天1次.6周后,测定血清中转氨酶和总胆红素(TBIL)含量,测定血清中肝纤维化四项指标[透明质酸(HA)、层黏蛋白(LN)、Ⅳ型胶原(CⅣ)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PCⅢ)]含量和肝组织中羟脯氨酸(HYP)水平;通过生理记录仪测定门静脉压(PVP)、门静脉血流量(PVF)、平均动脉压(MAP)并测定心率(HR);HE染色法观察肝脏组织形态结构变化;硝酸还原酶法测定肝脏组织中一氧化氮(NO)含量、放射免疫法测定环鸟苷酸(cGMP)含量;测定肝脏组织中抗氧化酶活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量.结果 较模型组对照组大鼠,UA(20、40 mg·kg-1)组血清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)和TBIL含量显著降低,血清中CⅣ、PCⅢ、HA、HYP含量显著降低,其中UA 40 mg·kg-1组LN含量显著降低;UA(20、40 mg·kg-1)组PVP、PVF均显著降低,40 mg·kg-1组MAP显著升高、HR显著降低;UA(10、20、40 mg·kg-1)组肝纤维化门静脉高压大鼠肝脏组织病理性形态学变化呈不同程度改善,呈一定剂量依赖性;UA(20、40 mg·kg-1)组肝脏组织NO含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著升高,40 mg·kg-1组cGMP含量和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性显著升高,上述均差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01).结论 UA对CCl4所致大鼠肝纤维化及门静脉高压具有一定的抑制作用,机制可能与UA能够有效保肝降酶,抑制氧化应激损伤,提高NO含量有关.     

Isolation and characterization of a novel two-component hemolysin, erylysin A and B, from an edible mushroom, Pleurotus eryngii

A novel two-component hemolysin, erylysin A and B (EryA and EryB), was isolated from an edible mushroom, Pleurotus eryngii. Hemolytic activity was exhibited only by the EryA and EryB mixture. EryA showed one band at 15 kDa on SDS-PAGE while EryB showed two bands at 15 kDa (EryB1) and 37 kDa (EryB2). MALDI-TOF MS showed that the molecular masses of EryA, EryB1 and EryB2 were 14,945 Da, 14,593 Da and 37,417 Da, respectively. EryA and EryB were very similar to pleurotolysin A and B in terms of molecular mass, and the N-terminus and inner sequences. At pH 7.2, EryA exists as a homodimer whereas EryB exists as a heterodimer of B1 and B2. CD spectrum analysis showed T_m values of 47 °C and 37 °C for EryA and EryB, respectively. EryB was particularly unstable.     

Absorption of andrographolides from Andrographis paniculata and its effect on CCl4-induced oxidative stress in rats

A simple and validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with UV detection has been used to determine the content of andrographolide (AP) and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (DIAP) in rat plasma after oral dose of methanol extract (1 g/kg body weight) of Andrographis paniculata leaf. An increase in plasma concentration of AP and DIAP was observed from 30 min to 3 h after oral administration of the extract. The maximum plasma concentrations of AP and DIAP were 1.42 ± 0.09 μg/ml and 1.31 ± 0.04 μg/ml, respectively. Fourteen days oral treatment of rats with the methanol extract (1 g/kg body weight) followed by CCl₄ administration preserved catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in erythrocytes, whereas plasma lipid peroxidation, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities were restored to values comparable with control values. Treatment of rats with CCl₄ did not showed significant alteration (p > 0.05) in plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) as compare to values of control group.     

Comparative evaluation of the protective potentials of human paraoxonase 1 and 3 against CCl4-induced liver injury

We previously reported that electroporation mediated hPON1 or hPON3 gene delivery could protect against CCl₄-induced liver injury. However, substantial evidence supported that the in vivo physiological functions of hPON1 and hPON3 were distinct. To compare the protective efficacies of hPON1 and hPON3 against liver injury, recombinant adenovirus AdPON1 and AdPON3, which were capable of expressing hPON1 and hPON3 respectively, were intravenously injected into mice before they were given CCl₄. Adenovirus mediated expression of hPON1 and hPON3 were demonstrated by elevated serum esterase activity, hepatic lactonase activity, and hPON1/hPON3 mRNA expression in liver. Serum transaminase assay, histological observation and TUNEL analysis revealed that the extent of liver injury and hepatocyte apoptosis in AdPON1 or AdPON3 treated mice was significantly ameliorated in comparison with control. Meanwhile, overexpression of hPON1 and hPON3 reduced the hepatic oxidative stress and strengthen the total antioxidant capabilities in liver through affecting the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) levels, regardless of the exposure to CCl₄ or corn oil. Administration of AdPON1 or AdPON3 also suppressed inflammatory response by decreasing TNF-α and IL-1β levels in CCl₄ mice. In this study, hPON1 exhibited a slightly higher efficacy than hPON3 in alleviating liver injury, but the difference between them were not significant.     

头顶一颗珠醇提物对CCl4所致急性肝损伤的影响

目的： 探讨头顶一颗珠（Trillium tschonoskii Maxim.,TTM）对CCl₄诱导的大鼠急性肝损伤的影响。方法： 36只SD大鼠随机抽出6只为正常对照组,余予以腹腔注射5 mL·kg^-1的25% CCl₄花生油溶液进行造模,再随机将注射CCl₄的大鼠分为5组,分别为模型组,联苯双酯组（0.2 g·kg^-1）,头顶一颗珠低、中、高剂量组（0.1,0.5,1.0 g·kg^-1）,各治疗组大鼠予以相应药物灌胃5天后取材,计算各组的肝脏脏器系数,检测血清ALT、AST的活性,观察HE染色及Tunel检测结果,QPCR检测Caspase-3,Bax,Bcl-2 mRNA的表达。结果： 与模型组相比,TTM低、中、高组均能明显降低肝脏脏器系数及血清ALT、AST的活性。HE染色结果表明与模型组相比,TTM各治疗组均可减轻肝损伤。Tunel检测结果显示TTM各治疗组的凋亡细胞较模型组降低。QPCR结果显示TTM各剂量组都可降低Caspase-3、Bax mRNA的表达,增强Bcl-2 mRNA的表达。结论： TTM对CCl₄所致的大鼠急性肝损伤具有保护作用,该作用主要与降低肝细胞凋亡有关。     

Hepatoprotective activity of Chhit-Chan-Than extract powder against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats

The capability of Chhit-Chan-Than extract powder (CCTEP, 10% aqueous Ocimum gratissimum L. extract) to protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in vivo was investigated. Wistar rats were divided into five groups. Group A was a normal control group given only vehicle; Group B, the hepatotoxic group, was injected intraperitoneally twice a week with repeated 8% CCl₄/olive oil (0.1 mL/100 g of body weight); Groups C–E, extract-treated groups received CCl₄ and different doses of CCTEP (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) or silymarin (200 mg/kg of body weight) daily by gavage for 8 weeks, respectively. The results showed that the CCl₄-induced histopathogical changes may be prevented by CCTEP through reducing the intercellular collogen stack, dropping blood serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and restoring the catalase activity and glutathione content. The hepatoprotective properties were further confirmed by the marked improvement in histopathological examination and by quantitative steatosis-fibrosis scoring. The above results suggest that CCTEP is able to prevent the liver inflammation and fibrosis induced by repeated CCl₄ administration, and the hepatoprotective effects might be correlated partly with its antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects.     

Characterization of bioactive compounds and ameliorative effects of Ceratonia siliqua leaf extract against CCl4 induced hepatic oxidative damage and renal failure in rats

Ceratonia siliqua is a typical Mediterranean plant, mainly used in food and Tunisian traditional folk medicine. Among the tested extracts, the ethyl acetate fraction (EACs) exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoids content. The antioxidant activity in vitro systems showed a more significant potent free radical scavenging activity of this extract than other analysis fractions. The HPLC finger print of EACs active extract showed the presence of six phenolic compounds. The in vivo results showed that oral administration of CCl₄ enhanced levels of hepatic and renal markers (ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, γ-GT, urea and creatinine) in the serum of experimental animals. It also increased the oxidative stress markers resulting in increased levels of the lipid peroxidation with a concomitant decrease in the levels of enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GPx) in both liver and kidney. The pre-treatment of experimental rats with 250 mg/kg (BW) of the EACs, by intraperitoneal injection for 8 days, prevented CCl₄ induced disorders in the levels of hepatic and kidney markers. The biochemical changes were in accordance with histopathological observations suggesting a marked hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effect of the EACs extract.     

藤茶双氢杨梅树皮素对实验性慢性肝损伤的保护作用

目的：探讨从藤茶提取的双氢杨梅树皮素（APS）对慢性肝损伤的保护作用。方法：采用四氯化碳（CCl4）建立小鼠慢性肝损模型，并给予APS观察其对实验鼠血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT），天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）活性，总蛋白（TP），白蛋白（ALB），透明质酸（HA）含量和肝组织羟脯氨酸（HyP）含量的影响及肝组织病理改变的影响。结果：APS明显降低血清ALT，AST活性，血清HA含量和肝组织HyP含量，明显增高血清TP和ALB含量，同时可减轻实验鼠肝组织病理改变的程度。结论：APS对CCL4所致实验性慢性肝损伤具有明显的保护作用。     

Hepatoprotective activity of Stereospermum suaveolens against CCl4-induced liver damage in albino rats

The present study aims to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Stereospermum suaveolens DC (Bignoniaceae). Hepatoprotective activity is studied by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver damage in albino rats. The degree of protection in this activity has been measured by using biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, LDL-cholesterol and SOD, CAT, GSH, total thiols, NO, and lipid peroxidation in liver tissue homogenate. The results suggest that the methanol stem bark extract of Stereospermum suaveolens at the doses 125, 250, and 500?mg/kg and reference standard Liv-52 treated group produced significant (p <0.001) hepatoprotection against CCl₄-induced liver damage by decreasing the activities of serum enzymes, bilirubin and lipid peroxidation. The extract significantly (p <0.001) increased levels of SOD, CAT, GSH and total thiols, as compared to control group. Histopathological studies further substantiate the protective effect of the extract. It was concluded that methanol stem bark extract of Stereospermum suaveolens showed effective hepatoprotective activity.     

Antioxidant activities of isoflavones from the rhizomes of<Emphasis Type="Italic">belamcanda chinensis</Emphasis> on carbon tetrachloride-lnduced hepatic injury in rats

The present study was carried out to clarify whether tectorigenin and tectoridin isolated from the rhizomes of Belamcanda chinensis (Iridaceae) inhibit hepatic damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-intoxication in rats by the experimental methods in vitro and in vivo. Tectorigenin and tectoridin exhibited a significant decrease in serum transaminase activities elevated by hepatic damage induced by CCl4-intoxication in rats, as well as in a lipid peroxidation causing a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) production by thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactant assay. Both compounds also showed strong increase in the antioxidant enzymes such as hepatic cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activities in CCl4-intoxicated rats. These results suggested that tectorigenin and tectoridin isolated from the rhizomes of B. chinensis possess not only the antioxidative, but also the hepatoprotective activities in CCl4-intoxicated rats.     

Corn oil enhancing hepatic lipid peroxidation induced by CCl4 does not aggravate liver fibrosis in rats

Lipid peroxidation (LPO) is known to be associated with liver fibrosis in chronic liver injury. However, direct effects of the products of LPO on liver fibrogenesis have not been demonstrated. In this study, we examined the LPO products of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)+corn oil to evaluate the effect of LPO products on liver fibrosis. CCl4 was given twice a week for 8 weeks. Corn oil was given daily to rats at a dose of 2 or 10ml/kg via gastrogavage throughout the whole experiment period. CCl4 induced both cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 independent and COX-2 dependent LPO. COX-2 independent LPO was enhanced by corn oil treatment while no effect was reflected on COX-2 dependent LPO. CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats was not aggravated by corn oil treatment. In addition, the amount of fatty liver induced by CCl4 was increased by corn oil treatment. Though the inflammation-related UCP-2 mRNA expression was induced by CCl4, it was not aggravated by the enhancement of corn oil. Conclusion: corn oil enriches polyunsaturated fatty acids through COX-2 independent pathways to increase LPO products that do not enhance liver fibrosis induced by CCl4.     

姜黄素对四氯化碳诱导大鼠急性肝损害的保护作用

目的 研究姜黄素对四氯化碳诱导的大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法 60只健康♂SD大鼠随机分成6组,即正常对照组,肝损伤模型组,阳性药物对照水飞蓟素组（100 mg·kg^-1）,姜黄素低剂量组（25 mg·kg^-1）,姜黄素中剂量组（50 mg·kg^-1）和姜黄素高剂量组（100 mg·kg^-1）。隔天灌胃给药,共30 d;末次给药1 h后,腹腔注射20 mg·kg^-1 CCl₄玉米油溶液（2 mL·kg^-1）造模,禁食不禁水,12 h后乌拉坦麻醉。取下腔静脉血和肝脏后,分别检测大鼠血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）及天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（ASL）的活性,大鼠肝脏组织中血红素加氧酶Ⅰ（HO-1）及静脉血中HbCO的水平,在体外测定姜黄素清除DPPH自由基及ABTS自由基的能力。结果 与正常对照组相比,模型组血清中ALT、AST活性显著升高,肝组织中HO-1活性及静脉血中HbCO的含量显著降低,组织病理检查显示肝组织损伤明显增加。与模型组相比,姜黄素各剂量组可不同程度的降低血清AST及ASL的活性,增加肝脏组织中HO-1的活性及HbCO的水平,组织病理检查显示肝损伤有不同程度减轻。并且姜黄素具有清除DPPH自由基及ABTS自由基的能力。结论 姜黄素对CCl₄诱导的大鼠急性肝损伤具有一定保护作用,其机制可能与其自身抗氧化能力及诱导HO-1及HbCO有关。     

异欧前胡素对四氯化碳致小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用

目的：研究异欧前胡素对四氯化碳（CCl₄）诱导的小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法：60只昆明种小鼠随机分为正常对照（生理盐水）组、模型（生理盐水）组、水飞蓟宾（阳性对照,16 mg·kg^-1）组和异欧前胡素低、中、高剂量（8,16,32 mg·kg^-1）组,连续灌胃给药7 d,每天1次。末次给药1 h后,除正常对照组外其余各组小鼠腹腔注射0.1% CCl₄花生油溶液诱发小鼠急性肝损伤。16 h后摘眼球取血并处死小鼠,测定肝脏指数,检测血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）及肝组织中丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）及谷胱甘肽（GSH）水平;检测肝脏线粒体中MDA水平、ATP酶活性及线粒体膜电位。结果：CCl₄诱导小鼠肝脏指数及血清ALT和AST水平显著升高,肝细胞肿胀、变性、坏死,出现明显炎性损伤;使肝组织及肝线粒体中MDA水平显著升高,SOD与GSH水平显著降低;同时导致肝线粒体中ATP酶活性显著降低,线粒体膜电位下降。而水飞蓟宾及异欧前胡素均可显著逆转CCl₄引发的这些效应。结论：异欧前胡素对CCl₄诱导的小鼠急性肝损伤具有保护作用,其机制可能与清除氧化应激产物MDA,增加细胞内抗氧化酶SOD与GSH活性及改善线粒体功能有关。     

蓬子菜总黄酮对四氯化碳诱导的小鼠肝损伤的保护作用及机制

目的 探讨蓬子菜总黄酮（total flavonoids extracts of Galium verum L.,TFG）对CCl₄致小鼠急性肝损伤的影响及其机制。方法 60只昆明小鼠随机分成正常组、模型组、阳性对照组、TFG组。各治疗组予以相应的药物灌胃6 d后,除正常组外其余各组腹腔注射6% CCl₄造模,24 h后取样,肝组织HE染色,检测血清中谷草转氨酶（AST）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）以及肝肾组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽（GSH）、丙二醛（MDA）水平,分析血清中TNF-α和IL-6水平。昆明小鼠50只,随机分成正常组、模型组、TFG组（200 mg·kg^-1）、抗IL-6单抗（40 mg·kg^-1）+TFG（200 mg·kg^-1）组、抗TNF-α单抗（5 mg·kg^-1）+TFG（200 mg·kg^-1）组,各治疗组予以相应的药物处理6 d后,除正常组外,其余各组腹腔注射6% CCl₄造模,24 h后取血清分析AST、ALT水平。结果 与模型组比较,蓬子菜总黄酮能改善肝损伤,降低血清中AST、ALT活性以及肝肾中MDA含量,提高肝肾SOD活性、GSH含量,降低血清中TNF-α和IL-6表达（P<0.05或P<0.01）。抗IL-6、TNF-α单抗能明显降低血清中AST、ALT活性（P<0.05）。结论 蓬子菜总黄酮能通过清除自由基、抑制脂质过氧化,保护细胞膜和线粒体膜的完整性。同时减少IL-6、TNF-α的释放,改善急性肝损伤。     

Effects of standardized bilberry fruit extract (Mirtoselect®) on resolution of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L) has been traditionally used in the treatment of various liver disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bilberry fruit extract (BE) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatic fibrosis. Male Balb/C mice were treated with CCl₄ dissolved in olive oil (20% v/v, 2 ml/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.), twice a week for 7 weeks. BE (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) was given to mice for next 15 days, 72 h after the last dose of CCl₄. The CCl₄ administration increased oxidative stress as well as the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the liver. Furthermore, increased α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and hydroxyproline levels indicated activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and enhanced collagen production. BE 10 mg/kg markedly attenuated oxidative stress, decreased TNF-α, TGF-β1, and α-SMA expression, and eliminated hepatic collagen deposits. These results indicate that BE, in a dose dependent manner, induces the resolution of liver fibrosis by decreasing oxidative stress and inactivating HSCs via down-regulation of fibrogenic cytokines, TGF-β1 and TNF-α.     

Hepatoprotective effect of the ethanol extract of Polygonum orientale on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice

Polygonum orientale L. (Polygonaceae) fruits have various medicinal uses, but their hepatoprotective effects have not yet been studied. This study investigated the hepatoprotective activity of the ethanolic extract of P. orientale (POE) fruits against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced acute liver injury (ALI). Mice were pretreated with POE (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 g/kg) or silymarin (0.2 g/kg) for 5 consecutive days and administered a dose of 0.175% CCl₄ (ip) on the 5th day to induce ALI. Blood and liver samples were collected to measure antioxidative activity and cytokines. The bioactive components of POE were identified through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Acute toxicity testing indicated that the LD₅₀ of POE exceeded 10 g/kg in mice. Mice pretreated with POE (0.5, 1.0 g/kg) experienced a significant reduction in their serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and reduction in the extent of liver lesions. POE reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GRd) in liver. HPLC revealed peaks at 11.28, 19.55, and 39.40 min for protocatechuic acid, taxifolin, and quercetin, respectively. In summary, the hepatoprotective effect of POE against CCl₄-induced ALI was seemingly associated with its antioxidant and anti-proinflammatory activities.