Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of a mangrove plant Lumnitzera racemosa

Objective:To identify the hepatoprotective and in vitro antioxidant activity of Lumnitzera racemosa(L.racemosa) leaf extract.Methods:Animals in Group 1 served as vehicle control. Group 2 served as hepatotoxin(CCL_4 treated) group.Group 3 served as positive control(Silyntarin) group,and Group 4.S and ft served as(73,150 and 300 nig/kg bw p.o.)L.racemosa leaf extract treated groups.Moreover,in vitro antioxidant DPPH,hydroxyl radical scavenging activity(HRSA),NO,ferric reducing antioxidant power(FRAP),lipid hydroperoxide(LPO) and super oxide dismutase(SOD) were also analyzed for the leaf extract.Results:The levels of the serum parameters such as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(SGOT).serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase(SGPT).alkaline phosphatase(ALP),bilirubin,cholesterol(CHL).sugar and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) were significantly increased in COL_4 treated rats when compared with the control group(P<0.05).But the L.racemosa leaf extract treated rats showed maximum reduction of SGOT[(210.16±19.63)IU/L].SGPT[(82.37±13.87) IU/L].ALP[(197.63±23.4.3)IU/L],bilurubilt[(2.13 ±0.84) mg/dL].cholesterol[(163.83± 13.63) mg/dL].sugar[(93.00±7.63) mg/dL]and LDH[(1134.00) ±285.00)IU/L]were observed with the high dose(300 mg/kg bw) of leaf extract treated rats. Histopathological scores showed that,no visible changes were observed with high dose(300 mg/ kgbw) of leaf extract treated rats except few mild necrosis.The IC_(50) values were observed as(56.37 ±4.87)μg/mL,(57.68±1.98) μg/mL,(64.15±2.90)μg/mL,(61.94±3.98)μg/mL,(94.53± 1.68) μg/mL and(69.7±2.65)μg/mL for DPPH,HRSA,NO,FRAP,LPO and SOL) radical scavenging activities, respectively.Conclusions:In conclusion,the hepatoprotective effect of the L.racemosa leaf extract might be due to the presence of phenolic groups,terpenoids and alkaloids and in vitro antioxidant properties.

Cytotoxicity evaluation and hepatoprotective potential of bioassay guided fractions from Feronia limmonia Linn leaf

Objective:To evaluate the cytotoxicity and hepatoprotective potentials of extracts,fractions or isolated compound from the leaves of Feronia limonia(F.limonia).Methods:Qualitative phytochemical analysis of extracts,fractions or compound was performed by means of thin layer chromatography and spectroscopic assays.The%purity of compound was measured by analytical HPLC.Extracts,fractions or compound have been individually evaluated for their cytotoxicity effects(10,20,100,250,500,750 and 1 000 μg/mL).Based on the inhibitory concentration(IC_(50)) obtained from the cell viability assay,graded concentrations of extracts,fractions or isolated compound were assessed(10,20,50,100,200 μg/mL) for its hepatoprotective potential against CCl_4-induced hepatotoxicity by monitoring activity levels of serum glutamatic pyruvatic transaminase(SGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(SGOT).Results:Results indicated that the methanol extract of F.limonia was non-toxic and hepatoprotective in nature as compared with the petroleum ether extract.The acetone fraction of methanolic extract also showed similar properties but the subsequent two fractions were cytotoxic.However,the pure compound isolated from the penultimate fraction of methanolic extract was non-toxic and hepatoprotective in nature.Biochemical investigations(SCOT,SCPT) further corroborated these cytological observations.Conclusions:It can be concluded from this study that F.limonia methanol extract,some fractions and pure isolated compound herein exhibit hepatoprotective activity.However,cytotoxicity recorded in the penultimate fraction and investigation of structural details of pure compound warrants further study.

Hepatoprotective activity of Sapindus mukorossi and Rheum emodi extracts: In vitro and in vivo studies

AIM: To study the hepatoprotective capacity of Sapindus mukorossi (S. mukorossi) and Rheum emodi (R. emodi) extracts in CCl4 treated male rats. METHODS: The dried powder of S. mukorossi and R. emodi was extracted successively with petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, and ethanol and concentrated in vacuum. Primary rat hepatocyte monolayer cultures were used for in vitro studies. In vivo, the hepatoprotective capacity of the extract of the fruit pericarp of S. mukorossi and the rhizomes of R. emodi was analyzed in liver injured CCl4-treated male rats. RESULTS: In vitro: primary hepatocytes monolayer cultures were treated with CCl4 and extracts of S. mukorossi & R. emodi. A protective activity could be demonstrated in the CCl4 damaged primary monolayer culture. In vivo : extracts of the fruit pericarp of S. mukorossi (2.5 mg/mL) and rhizomes of R. emodi (3.0 mg/mL) were found to have protective properties in rats with CCl4 induced liver damage as judged from serum marker enzyme activities. CONCLUSION: The extracts of S. mukorossi and R. emodi do have a protective capacity both in vitro on primary hepatocytes cultures and in in vivo in a rat model of CCl4 mediated liver injury.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of lycopene on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rat

AIM To evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of lycopene(Ly) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) in rat. METHODS A rat model of NAFLD was first established by feeding a high-fat diet for 14 wk. Sixty-five rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group and Ly treatment groups. Alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), triglycerides(TG), total cholesterol(TC) in serum and low density lipoproteincholesterol(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C), free fatty acid(FFA), malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione(GSH) in liver tissue were evaluated, respectively. While the hepatoprotective effect was also confirmed by histopathological analysis, the expression levels of TNF-α and cytochrome P450(CYP) 2E1 in rat liver were determined by immunohistochemistry analysis.RESULTS A significant decrease was observed in the levels of serum AST(2.07-fold), ALT(2.95-fold), and the blood lipid TG(2.34-fold) and TC(1.66-fold) in the dose of 20 mg/kg Ly-treated rats(P < 0.01), compared to the model group. Pretreatment with 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg of Ly significantly raised the levels of antioxidant enzyme SOD in a dose-dependent manner,to 90.95 ± 9.56, 109.52 ± 11.34 and 121.25 ± 10.68(P < 0.05, P < 0.01), as compared with the model group. Similarly, the levels of GSH were significantly increased(P < 0.05, P < 0.01) after the Ly treatment. Meanwhile, pretreatment with 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg of Ly significantly reduced MDA amount by 30.87, 45.51 and 54.49% in the liver homogenates, respectively(P < 0.01). The Ly treatment group showed significantly decreased levels of lipid products LDL-C(P < 0.05, P < 0.01), improved HDL-C level and significantly decreased content of FFA, compared to the model group(P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Furthermore, the Ly-treated group also exhibited a down-regulated TNF-α and CYP2E1 expression, decreased infiltration of liver fats and reversed histopathological changes, all in a dosedependent manner(P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION This study suggests that Ly has a protective effect on NAFLD, down-regulates expression of TNF-α, and that CYP2E1 may be one of the action mechanisms for Ly.

Hypothetical mode of action of earthworm extract with hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties

The hepatoprotective potential of earthworm extract (EE) (Lampito mauritii, Kinberg) was evaluated against paracetamol-induced liver injury in Wistar albino rat, in comparison with silymarin, the standard hepatoprotective drug. We observed a reduction in liver antioxidants, such as glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) and in serum total protein, and an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum aspertate aminotranferase (AST), serum alanine aminotranferase (ALT), bilirubin and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) due to liver injury in the paracetamol-administered rats (2 g/kg). On the contrary, increased activities of liver GSH, SOD, GPx, CAT and serum total protein level, and decrease in the contents of serum ALP, AST, ALT, bilirubin and liver TBARS were observed in rats administered with different doses of EE (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg), which are similar to the activities of hepato-protective drug silymarin (150 mg/kg). The mode of action of EE as evidenced by the above parameters may suggest that EE, on the one hand, prevents the formation of the reactive oxygen groups, or scavenges these groups, thereby preventing the damage on the hepatic cells, and, on the other hand, modulates the genes responsible for synthesis of antioxidant enzymes such as GPx, CAT and SOD in liver tissue and decreases the serum enzymatic activities such as ALP, AST and ALT.

In vitro and in vivo antioxidative and hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of Cortex Dictamni

AIM To investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Cortex Dictamni aqueous extract(CDAE) in carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)-induced liver damage in rats.METHODS The in vitro antioxidant effect of CDAE was investigated using α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS), β-carotene bleaching, reducing power, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assays. A linoleic acid system, including ferric thiocyanate(FTC) and thiobarbituric acid(TBA) assays, was used to evaluate the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The in vivo hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of CDAEagainst CCl4-induced liver damage were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Silymarin was used as a positive control. Liver damage was assessed by determining hepatic histopathology and liver marker enzymes in serum. Enzyme and non-enzyme antioxidant levels and lipid peroxide content were measured in the liver. Cytochrome P450 2E1(CYP2E1) protein expression was measured via immunohistochemical staining. Nuclear factor E2-related factor(Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase 1(NQO1), and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase catalytic subunit(γ-GCSc) protein expression was measured by Western blot.RESULTS Our results showed that CDAE exhibited a strong antioxidant activity in vitro. CDAE scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals in a dose-dependent manner. CDAE inhibited lipid peroxidation with a lipid peroxide inhibition rate of 40.6% ± 5.2%. In the FTC and TBA assays, CDAE significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation(P < 0.01). In vivo histopathological studies indicated that CCl4-induced liver injury was alleviated following CDAE treatment in rats of both sexes. CDAE(160 and 320 mg/kg) significantly prevented CCl4-induced elevations of alkaline phosphatase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels in rats of both sexes(P < 0.05, 0.01, or 0.001). Moreover, CDAE restored the decreased activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as non-enzyme antioxidant glutathione, which were induced by CCl4 treatment. CDAE significantly suppressed the up-regulation of CYP2E1 and promoted Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and γ-GCSc protein expression.CONCLUSION CDAE exhibits good antioxidant performance in vitro, with marked radical-scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activities. CDAE is effective in preventing CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats of both sexes. The hepatoprotective activity of CDAE may be attributable to its antioxidant activity, which may involve Keap1-Nrf2-mediated antioxidant regulation.

Hepatitis C: From inflammatory pathogenesis to antiinflammatory/hepatoprotective therapy

Hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection commonly causes progressive liver diseases that deteriorate from chronic inflammation to fibrosis, cirrhosis and even to hepatocellular carcinoma. A long-term, persistent and uncontrolled inflammatory response is a hallmark of these diseases and further leads to hepatic injury and more severe disease progression. The levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines change with the states of infection and treatment, and therefore, they may serve as candidate biomarkers for disease progression and therapeutic effects. The mechanisms of HCV-induced inflammation involve classic pathogen pattern recognition, inflammasome activation, intrahepatic inflammatory cascade response, and oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Direct-acting antivirals(DAAs) are the first-choice therapy for effectively eliminating HCV, but DAAs alone are not sufficient to block the uncontrolled inflammation and severe liver injury in HCV-infected individuals. Some patients who achieve a sustained virologic response after DAA therapy are still at a long-term risk for progression to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, coupling with antiinflammatory/hepatoprotective agents with anti-HCV effects is a promising therapeutic regimen for these patients during or after treatment with DAAs. In this review, we discuss the relationship between inflammatory mediators and HCV infection, summarize the mechanismsof HCV-induced inflammation, and describe the potential roles of anti-inflammatory/hepatoprotective drugs with anti-HCV activity in the treatment of advanced HCV infection.

Investigation of hepatoprotective activity of Cyathea gigantea(Wall.ex.Hook.)leaves against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Objective:To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of methanolic leaf extract of Cyathea gigantea(C.gigantea)against paracetamol induced liver damage in rats.Methods:The hepatoprotective activity for plant extract was investigated for paracetamol induced hepatoxicity in rats.Wislar albino rats of either sex were divided into five groups of 6 animals each and are given orally the following treatment for seven days.The normal control group was given 1%Na.CMC 1mL/kg bw,p.o.Paracetamol at dose of 1g/kg bw,p.o.was given as toxic dose for inducing hepatoloxicity.Silymarin(50mg/kg.p.o.) was given as reference standard.Two doses of C. gigantea extract i.e.,100 mg/kg.p.o.and 200 mg/kg,p.o.were tested for hepatoprotective activity. The treatment was given for seven days and after 24 h of last treatment blood was collected from retro-orbital plexus and analysed for various serum parameters like serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(SGOT),serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase(SGPT),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),total bilirubin(TB)and total protein(TP)in different groups.Results:The paracetamol intoxication lead to histological and biochemical deteriorations.The treatment with methanolic leaf extract of C.gigantea reduced the elevated levels of SCOT,SGPT,ALP,TB and also reversed the hepatic damage towards normal which further supports the hepatoprotective activity of leaf extract of C.gigantea.Conclusions:The methanolic extract of leaves of C.gigantea at doses of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw have significant effect on liver of paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity model in rats.

Antioxidant, hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic effects of methanolic root extract of Cassia singueana in rats following acute and chronic carbon tetrachloride intoxication

Objective: To evaluate in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of the methanolic extract of the root of Cassia singueana in rats following acute and chronic carbon tetrachloride intoxication. Methods: Malondialdehyde (MDA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin as indices of liver damage and lipid peroxidation were detected in rats after intraperitoneal administration of extract (5 mg/kg). Results: The liver, kidney and heart showed significant reduction ( P <0.05) in the levels of MDA from (0.18依0.04), (0.23 依0.07) and (0.26依0.10) nmol/mg respectively in the CCl 4 control to (0.15依0.03), (0.17依0.04) and (0.17 依0.07) nmol/mg protein in groups pre-treated with the extract for three days at 5 mg/kg). Similarly, compared to the CCl 4 control, significant reduction ( P<0.05) in serum AST, ALT and bilirubin as well as in level of total cholesterol and MDA with concomitant increase in HDL cholesterol, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels when CCl 4 -intoxicated rats were treated with Cassia singueana root extract for two weeks. Conclusions: These results suggest that methanolic extract of Cassia singueana contain potent antioxidant compounds that can offer significant protection against hepatic and oxidative injuries.

Hepatoprotective effect of Solatium xanthocarpum fruit extract against CCl_4 induced acute liver toxicity in experimental animals

Objective:To investigate the hepatoprotective potential of Solonum xanthocarpum（Solanaceae） （S.xanthocarpum） in experimental rats to validate its traditional claim.Methods:50%ethanolic fruit extract of S.xanthocarpum（SXE,100.200 or 400 mg/kg hods weight） was administered daily for 14davs in experimental animals.Liver injury was induced chemically,by CCl4 administration （1 mL/kg i.p.）.The hepatoprotective activity was assessed using various biochemical parameters like aspartate aminotransferase（AST）,alanine aminotransferase（ALT）.Serum alkaline phosphatise （SALP） and total bilirubin.Meanwhile,in vivo antioxidant activities as lipid peroxidation（LPO）, reduced glutathione（GSH）.superoxide dismutase（SOD） and calalase（CAT） were screened along with histopathological studies.Results:Obtained results demonstrated that the treatment with SXE significantly（P【0.05- 【0.001） and dose-dcpendcntly prevented chemically induced increase in serum levels of hepatic enzymes.Furthermore.SXE significantly（up to P【0.001） reduced the lipid peroxidation in the liver tissue and restored activities of defence antioxidant enzymes GSH,SOU and catalasc towards normal levels.Histopathology of the liver tissue showed that SXE attenuated the hepatocellular necrosis and led to reduction of inflammatory cells inflltration. Conclusions:The results of this study strongly indicate the protective effect of SXE against acute liver injun which may he attributed to its hepatoprotective activity,and there by scientifically support its traditional use.

Screening of ethyl acetate extract of Bridelia micrantha for hepatoprotective and anti-oxidant activities on Wistar rats

Objective:To explore the hepatoprotective and anti-oxidant activities of the methanolic leaf extract of Bridelia micrantha(B.micrantha) on paracetamol induced liver damage in Wistar rats. Methods:Parameters were measured including alanine aminotransaminase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),bilirubin and total protein.The anti-oxidant effects were studied using the 1,l-Diphenynl-2-Picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power(FRAP) assay methods.Results:B.micrantha extract decreased the level of AST in the rats given PCM from(129.47±0.921) IU/L to(57.78±1.71) IU/L(P【0.05).This was lower than the value for Silymarin which was(59.92±1.41) IU/L.ALT concentration was reduced from (150.18±2.23) IU/L to(79.10±2.01) IU/L(P【0.05).ALP was reduced from(49.86±0.85) IU/L to(29.64±1.53) IU/L(P【0.05).Total bilirubin was reduced from(2.14±0.10 mg/dL) to(0.18±0.07) mg/dL (P【0.05) while total protein was increased from(4.26±0.30) mg/dL to(6.20±0.19) mg/dL(P【0.05). Concentrations ranging from 10 - 400μg/mL of B.micrantha were assayed for antioxidant activities.The DPPH assay showed 98%antioxidant activity at concentration of 400μg/mL. The FRAP values were 0.016,0.39,0.455,0.601 and 1.382μM at 10.50,100,200 and 400μg/ mL respectively.Conclusions:Results suggest that B.micrantha has hepatoprotective and anti oxidant potentials.However,further work involving fractionation needs to done to isolate the active compound responsible for the hepatoprotective activity.

Medical plant extracts and natural compounds with a hepatoprotective effect against damage caused by antitubercular drugs: A review

Drug-induced liver injury encompasses a spectrum of diseases ranging from mild biochemical abnormalities to acute liver failure; example of this scenery is hepatotoxicity caused by the first-line antituberculous drugs isoniazid, rifampin and pyrazinamide, which are basic for treatment of drug-sensible and drug-resistant tuberculosis. In the search for pharmacological alternatives to prevent liver damage, antitubercular drugs have been the subject of numerous studies and published reviews, a great majority of them carried out by Asian countries. At the same time, hepatoprotectors from plant source are now emerging as a possible alternative to counteract the toxic effects of these therapeutic agents. The present review aims to highlight the most recent studies on the subject, based information published in scientific databases such as Scopus and Pub Med.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Hypsizygus ulmarius polysaccharide on alcoholic liver injury in rats

Hypsizygus ulmarius polysaccharide(HUP)is a water-soluble polysaccharide obtained by hot water extraction,followed by precipitation and deproteinization.The characteristics of HUP,antioxidant activity and liver protection against alcohol-induced liver damage were studied.Structural characteristics indicate that the HUP is a pyran-type polysaccharide with a molecular weight of 2076 Da.In antioxidant scavenging assay,HUP showed moderate DMPD radical scavenging activity,cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity and inhibitory effect against lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner.Regarding in vivo hepatoprotective activity,compared with the ethanol induction group,pre-treatment of low and high doses of HUP signifi cantly reduced the behaviours of serum enzymes,lowered the levels of hepatic oxidative stress markers,restored the levels of biochemical constituents,enhanced the levels of liver and serum enzymatic antioxidants and non-enzymatic antioxidants,and improved the serum lipid levels of alcohol-intoxicated rats.The hepatoprotective effect of HUP was comparable to positive control silymarin.Besides,HUP pre-treatment signifi cantly normalized the histopathological changes induced by ethanol.The results indicate that HUP could be used as a functional food and may protect the biological system from oxidative stress through its antioxidant activity,thus having a signifi cant protective effect on acute alcoholic liver injury.

Hepatoprotective effect of Averrhoea carambola fruit extract on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in mice

Objective:To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Averroha carambola fruit extract against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury.Methods:Hepatotoxicity was induced on albino mice by intraperitoneal administration of CCl4.half an hour after the administration of the last dose of the extract of Averroha carambola fruit.Aqueous extract of the fruit of Averroha carambola was administered at a dose of 0.9 g/kg body weight once daily for seven days.The hepatic injury and its prevention was assessed by the estimation of serum activities of alanine aminotransferase（ALT）,aspartate aminotransferase（AST）,alkaline phosphates（ALP）,glutathione level and histopathological studies of liver.Results:Pre-treatment of mice with the fruit extract of Averrhoea carambola significantly reduced serum levels of ALT,AST and ALP enzyme and significantly increased the liver reduced glutathione levels 24 h after the administration of carbon tetrachloride.A marked improvement in the enzyme activities and the liver reduced glulathione level was observed in the pre-treated mice 4 days after the administration of carbon tetrachloride. Histopathological studies provided supportive evidence for the biochemical analvsis. Conclusions:The aqueous extract of the fruit of Averrhoea carambola has hepatoprotective effect against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in mice.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of marine halophyte Luminetzera racemosa bark extract in CCL_4 induced hepatotoxicity

Objective:To identify the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Luminetzera racemosa （L racemosa）bark extract.Methods:Wistar albino rats were divided into 6 groups:Group 1 served as control;Group 2 served as hepatotoxin（CCL4 treated） group;Group 3 served as positive control（Silymarin） treated groups;Group 4,5 and 6 served as（100,200 and 300 mg/kg bw p.o.） L racemosa bark extract treated groups.Moreover,in vitro antioxidant indexes,including DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity（HRSA）,NO,ferric reducing antioxidant power（FRAP）,lipid hydroperoxide（LPO） and super oxide dismutase（SOD） were also analyzed in the bark extract. Results:The results suggested that,the level of serum glutamate oxyloacetic transaminase（SCOT）, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase（SGPT）,alkaline phosphatise（ALP）,bilurubin,cholesterol, sugar and lactate dehydrogenase（LDH） were significantly（P【0.05） increased in hepatotoxin treated rats when compared with the control group.But,the maximum reduction of SGOT[（225.36±13.65） IU/L],SGPT[（96.85±17.36） IU/L],ALP[（315.37±17.16） IU/L],bilirubin[（2.97±0.46） mg/dL], cholesterol[（163.73±17.54） mg/dL],sugar[（127.35±27.35） mg/dL]and LDH[（1 784.00±268.36） IU/L] were observed with 300 mg/kg bw of bark extract treated rats.Histopathological scores showed that,no visible changes were observed with high dose（300 mg/kg bw） of bark extract treated rats except mild fatty changes.The in vitro antioxidant assays showed that,the IC50 values were observed as（44.17±6.87）μ/mL,（42.45±2.81）μg/mL,（62.37±3.98）μg/mL,（54.24±3.09）μg/mL, （87.25±5.90）μg/mL and（71.54±5.42）μg/mL for DPPH.HRSA,NO,FRAP,LPO and SOD radical scavenging activities,respectively.Conclusions:The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the bark extract might be to the presence of unique chemical classes such as flavonoids, alkaloids and polyphenols.

Reducing oxidative stress and hepatoprotective effect of water extracts from Pu-erh tea on rats with high-fat diet

Reducing oxidative stress and hepatoprotective effect of Pu-erh tea water extracts on rats fed with high-fat diet were researched for explaining health care of Pu-erh tea.Fifty SD rats were divided into five groups.The body weight was measured once a day.The malondialdehyde(MDA)and glucose(Glu)levels and the activities of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),nitric oxide synthase(NOS),and pyruvate kinase(PK)in serum were determined.Furthermore,the hepatic glycogen level(HGL)and the activities of hepatic total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD),catalase(CAT),and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)were also measured after continuous administration for 12 weeks.The result demonstrated that Pu-erh extract caused the decreases in body weight,fat index,MDA and NOS levels,and the increases in hepatic T-SOD,CAT and GSH-Px activities,indicating that the extract may be due to inhibiting the increases of body weight and fat index,reducing oxidant stress state and inhibiting lipid peroxidation,thus decreasing the activities of ALT and AST,and protecting the liver in rat.Meanwhile,the extracts could increase the production of hepatic glycogen and the activity of PK,and reduce glucose level,protecting the liver from the diseases associated with type II diabetes.

Antioxidative and hepatoprotective activities of a novel polysaccharide (LSAP) from Lepista sordida mycelia

A novel alkali-soluble polysaccharide from Lepista sordida(LSAP)mycelia with antioxidative and hepatoprotective activities was characterized.The weight-average molecular weight and number-average molecular weight of LSAP were 1.442×10^(3) and 6.05×10^(2) kDa,respectively.LSAP was consisted of glucose(57.9%),xylose(31.8%),and small amounts of rhamnose,arabinose,galactose,glucuronic acid,and galacturonic acid(1.2%–3.1%).The FT-IR and 2D NMR confi rmed that LSAP was composed of Xylp,Araf,4-O-Me-α-D-GlcpA,(1→4)-linkedβ-D-Glcp,and(1→4)-α-D-GalA,andβ-glycosidic linkages between these sugar units.LSAP displayed notable effects on 1,1-dephenyl-2-picryhydrazyl(DPPH)radical scavenging,hydrogen peroxide scavenging,lipid peroxidation inhibitory ability,reducing power and Fe^(2+)chelating property.These biological effects were further verifi ed by suppressing CCl_(4)-induced oxidative liver damage in mice at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg.Administration of LSAP in mice prior to CCl_(4) signifi cantly prevented the CCl_(4)-induced elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,and hepatic malondialdehyde.Mice treated with LSAP demonstrated to increase activities in superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)in the liver.We also found out that LSAP prevented CCl_(4)-induced oxidative liver histological alteration.LSAP may exert hepatoprotective effects against CCl_(4)-induced damage through antioxidant mechanisms in model mice.

Hepatoprotective effect of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz flowers on diclofenac sodium induced liver toxicity in rats

Objective:To evaluate the protective effect of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz flowers against experimentally induced liver toxicity in rats.Methods:Two different doses of methanol extract of Woodfordia fruticosa(WFM) were evaluated for the hepatoprotective activity against diclofenac sodium induced hepatotoxicity in rats.Various biochemical parameters like alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),total protein(TP),albumin(ALB),blood urea nitrogen(BUN) from serum;total protein(TP),glutathione (GSH) levels,catalase(CAT) and glutathione peroxidase(GPx) activities from liver were studied; histopathologic changes of liver were also evaluated.Results:WFM effectively reduced the elevated levels of serum ALT,AST,ALP and BUN,enhanced the reduced TP,ALB and hepatic GSH,CAT,GPx activity.The histopathological analysis suggested that WFM decreased the degree of liver fibrosis induced by diclofenac.Conclusions:This study demonstrates the hepatoprotective activity of WFM and thus scientifically support the use of this plant in traditional medicine for the treatment of liver disorders.

Hepatoprotective effect of manual acupuncture at acupoint GB34 against CCl_4-induced chronic liver damage in rats

AIM： To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of manual acupuncture at Yanglingquan （GB34） on CCl4-induced chronic liver damage in rats. METHODS： Rats were injected intraperitoneally with CCh （1 mL/kg） and treated with manual acupuncture using reinforcing manipulation techniques at left GB34 （Yanglingquan） 3 times a week for 10 wk. A nonacupoint in left gluteal area was selected as a sham point. To estimate the hepatoprotective effect of manual acupuncture at GB34, measurement of liver index, biochemical assays including serum ALT, AST, ALP and total cholesterol, histological analysis and blood cell counts were conducted. RESULTS： Manual acupuncture at GB34 reduced the liver index, serum ALT, AST, ALP and total cholesterol levels as compared with the control group and the sham acupuncture group. It also increased and normalized the populations of WBC and lymphocytes. CONCLUSION： Manual acupuncture with reinforcing manipulation techniques at left GB34 reduces liver toxicity, protects liver function and liver tissue, and normalizes immune activity in CCh-intoxicated rats.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of pentagamavunon-0 against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in rats

Objective:To investigate the hepatoproteetivc ami antioxidant activity of pentagamavunon-0(PGV-0) against CCl-4-induced hepatic injury in rats.Methods:The groups of animals were administered with PGV-0 at die doses 2.5.5,10,and 20 mg/kg b.w.,p.o.once in a day for 6 days and at day 7 the animals were administrated with carbon tetrachloride(CClj)(20%,2 ml/kg b.w.in liquid paraffin dp.).The effect of PGV-0 on serum transaminase(SGPT),alkaline phosphates(ALP and total bilirubin were determined in CCl-4-indueed hepatotoxicity in rats.Further,the effects of PGV-0 on glutathione(GSU) content,cutalase(CAT) and NO free radical scavenging activity also were investigated.Results:The results demonstrated that PCV-0 significantly reduced the activity of SGPT,serum ALP and total bilirubin in CCl-4 induced rat hepatotoxicity.PGV-0 has effect on the antioxidant and free radical defense system.It prevented the depletion level of GSH and decrease activity of CAT in CCl-4-induced liver injury in rats.PCV-0 also demonstrated the free radical scavenger effects on NO free radical scavenging activity with ES value of 32.32μM. Convulsion:All of our findings suggests that PGV-0 could protect the liver cells from CCl-4- induced liver damages and the mechanism may through the antioxidative effect of PGV-0 to prevent the accumulation of free radicals and protect the liver damage.