Hepatoprotective Activity of the Ethanol Extract of Sarcopyramis Nepalensis

The present study examined the protective effect of the ethanol extract of Sarcopyramis nepalensis (EESN) on agents-induced hepatotoxicity in mice and the possible mechanism. Acute liver injury was induced by administration of either CCl4 or D-GalN. The animals were divided into 5 groups in terms of different treatment: normal group, CCl4 or D-GalN group, silymarin or bifendate group, low dose EESN group (10 mg/kg) and high dose EESN group (30 mg/kg). Liver function was evaluated by detecting the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The oxidize stress markers were measured, including malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Liver tissues were histopathologically examined by hematoxy-lin-eosin (H&E) staining. The acute toxicity study revealed that there was no toxicity of EESN at the dose of 5 g/kg in mice. The levels of ALT and AST in serum, and the MDA level in live tissues were significantly increased and the activities of SOD and GSH substantially decreased in mice after CCl4 or D-GalN treatment. These biochemical and oxidize stress markers were profoundly improved after treatment with EESN at different doses, which was similar to the results of silymarin or bifendate treatment. The histophathological examination revealed the significant improvement in the pathological changes of the liver in EESN-treated mice as compared to those in CCl4 or D-GalN group. It was concluded that EESN possesses potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties and has therapeutic potential for liver diseases.

New triterpenoid saponins from the leaves of Ilex chinensis and their hepatoprotective activity

Seven new triterpenoid saponins,including five ursane-type saponins,ilexchinenosides R–V(1–5),and two oleananetype saponins,ilexchinenosides W–X(6–7),with four known triterpenoid saponins(8–11)were isolated from the leaves of Ilex chinensis.Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic 1 D and 2 D NMR and HR-ESI-MS data.Their sugar moieties were determined by HPLC analysis compared with standards after hydrolysis and derivatization.Compounds 1,2,4,9 and 10 exhibited potential hepatoprotective activity against N-acetyl-p-aminophenol(APAP)-induced Hep G2 cell injury in vitro.

Three quinolizidine dimers from the seeds of Sophora alopecuroides and their hepatoprotective activities

Sophoralines A–C,three novel[2+2]cycloaddition dimers of matrine-based alkaloids with an unprecedented 6/6/6/6/4/6/6/6/6 nonacyclic skeleton containing 11 stereogenic centers,were isolated from Sophora alopecuroides.Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods,and the absolute configurations were further determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for 1 and quantum chemical calculations of electronic circular dichroism(ECD)spectra for 2 and 3.Moreover,1 exhibited excellent hepatoprotective activities in acetaminophen-induced liver injury in vitro and in vivo.

New phenolic constituents obtained from Polygonum multiflorum

Objective:To isolate the phenolic compounds obtained from the dried roots ofPolygonum multiflorum and investigate their pharmacological activities.Methods:The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by combining them with a macroporous resin(DM-8),MCI gel,and Sephadex LH-20 and by performing ODS column chromatography.Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR analyses,as well as mass spectrometry.The isolated compounds were evaluated to determine their hepatoprotective andα-glucosidase inhibitory activities in vitro.Results:Two phenolic compounds,namely,polygonimitin E(1)and polygonimitin F(2),were isolated from the dried roots of P.multiflorum.Compound 2(10μmol/L)only showed moderate hepatoprotective activity against N-acetyl-p-aminophenol(APAP)-induced HepG2 cell damage.Unfortunately,these two compounds exhibited noα-glucosidase inhibitory activity.Conclusion:Compounds 1 and 2 were new compounds.Compound 2 could be one of the potential hepatoprotective constituents of P.multiflorum.

Two new phenylpropanoid glycosides from the aerial parts of Lespedeza cuneata

Two new phenylpropanoid glycosides named cuneataside E(1) and cuneataside F(2), were isolated from the aerial parts of Lespedeza cuneata(Dum. Cours.) G. Don, whose structures were E and Z isomer, respectively. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analysis(UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR). In in vitro bioassays at 10 μmol/L, compound 1showed moderate hepatoprotective activity against N-acetyl-p-aminophenol(APAP)-induced toxicity in He G2 cells.

Novel liver-specific nitric oxide(NO) releasing drugs with bile acid as both NO carrier and targeting ligand

Novel liver-specific nitric oxide（NO） releasing drugs with bile acid as both the NO carrier and targeting ligand were designed and synthesized by direct nitration of the hydroxyl group in bile acids or the 3-Ohydroxyl alkyl derivatives,with the intact 24-COOH being preserved for hepatocyte specific recognition.Preliminary biological evaluation revealed that oral administrated targeted conjugates could protect mice against acute liver damage induced by acetaminophen or carbon tetrachloride.The nitrate level in the liver significantly increased after oral administration of 1e while nitrate level in the blood did not significantly change.Co-administration of ursodeoxycholic acid（UDCA） significantly antagonized the increase of nitrate in the liver resulted by administration of 1e.

Protection of Citrullus colocynthis Fruit Extracts on Carbon Tetrachloride-induced and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin plus Lipopolysaccharide-induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

Objective To investigate the hepatoprotective activities of the extracts from Citrullus colocynthis(ECC),a native plant used as traditional Uigur Medicine on acute liver injury in mice.Methods The activities of ECC of petroleum ether(ECCPE),chloroform(ECCC),ethyl acetate(ECCEA),n-butyl alcohol(ECCBA),and water(ECCW) were evaluated in vivo using two experimental models,carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)- and bacillus calmette-guerin(BCG) plus lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute hepatotoxicity in mice.The contents of aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) in serum were determined and the liver histological examination was carried out,respectively.Results The pretreatment with ECC for 7 d obviously reduced the impact of CCl4toxicity on the serum markers of liver damage,ECCEA and ECCC with a significant difference of AST(P < 0.01,0.05,respectively) and ALT(P < 0.05,0.01,respectively).The protective activity was reconfirmed against BCG + LPS-induced injury and the serum enzymatic levels were obviously elevated,for ECCEA and ECCC with a significant difference of AST(P < 0.05,0.01,respectively) and ALT(P < 0.01,0.05,respectively).Conclusion That ECCEA and ECCC are the potent hepatoprotective extracts that could protect liver against the acute injury,and this ability might be attributed to their hepatoprotective potentials.