Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Cuscuta chinensis against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Tu-Si-Zi, the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. (Convolvulaceae), is a traditional Chinese medicine that is commonly used to nourish and improve the liver and kidney conditions in China and other Asian countries. As oxidative stress promotes the development of acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity, the aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the hepatoprotective effect and antioxidant activities of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of C chinensis on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The C chinensis ethanolic extract at an oral dose of both 125 and 250mg/kg showed a significant hepatoprotective effect relatively to the same extent (P<0.05) by reducing levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). In addition, the same ethanolic extract prevented the hepatotoxicity induced by APAP-intoxicated treatment as observed when assessing the liver histopathology. Regarding the antioxidant activity, C chinensis ethanolic extract exhibited a significant effect (P<0.05) by increasing levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In contrast, the same doses of the aqueous extract of C chinensis did not present any hepatoprotective effect as seen in the ethanolic extract, and resulted in further liver deterioration. In conclusion, these data suggest that the ethanolic extract of Cuscuta chinensis can prevent hepatic injuries from APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and this is likely mediated through its antioxidant activities.     

龙胆苦苷有效部位对小鼠肝损伤的保护作用

目的研究龙胆苦苷有效部位对四氯化碳（CCl4）所致小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法以CCl4造成小鼠急性肝损伤为模型,测定血清中谷丙转氨酶（ALT）和谷草转氨酶（AsT）活性;制备肝组织匀浆测定谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活力和丙二醛（MDA）含量。结果与CCI4模型组比较,各治疗组小鼠肝脏指数、血清ALT和AST活性不同程度降低;肝组织匀浆中GSH-Px,SOD活力不同程度升高,MDA含量不同程度降低。结论龙胆苦苷有效部位对CCl4所致小鼠急性肝损伤具有明显的保护作用,其机制可能与龙胆苦苷有效部位的抗脂质过氧化作用和阻止抗氧化酶活性降低有关。