Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Eucommia ulmiodes Oliver Leaves on Liver Mitochondria

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of aqueous extract of Eucommia ulmiodes Oliver leaves （AEO） on liver mitochondrial injury induced by free radicals. [Method] MDA content was determined by thiobarbituric acid colorimetric method; mitochondrial swelling degree was determined by spectrophotometry; the superoxide anion radical scavenging ability was determined using reduced coenzyme I-tetrazolium-phenazine methosulfate as the superoxide anion generation system. Mice were hypodermically injected in the back and neck with D- galactose, after 50 d, the effects of AEO on the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） and anti-hydroxyl radicals in mouse liver were determined using kits. [Result] AEO can efficiently reduce the liver injury and inhibit mitochondrial swelling induced by Fe2＋-L-Cys, which can also scavenge superoxide anion and improve the activities of antioxidant enzymes. [Conclusion] This study provided scientific basis for the development and application of AEO resources.

Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. leaves flavonoids alleviate hyperuricemia by regulating uric acid metabolism and intestinal homeostasis in mice

This study aimed to evaluate the alleviating effect of Chimonanthus nitens Oliv.leaves flavonoids(CLF)on hyperuricemia induced by potassium oxonate in mice.The results showed that CLF lowered the serum levels of uric acid(UA),creatinine and blood urea nitrogen,downregulated hepatic mRNA expressions of xanthine oxidase(XO),phosphate ribose pyrophosphate synthetase(PRPS)and adenosine deaminase(ADA)in hyperuricemia mice.In addition,CLF repaired renal injury by significantly down-regulating mRNA and protein expressions of renal UA reabsorption-related proteins and up-regulating the mRNA and protein expressions of UA secretory-related proteins.Finally,CLF inhibited UA synthesis and promoted UA excretion to alleviate hyperuricemia.Besides,CLF supplementation repaired the intestinal barrier function as demonstrated by significant increased mRNA levels of intestinal zonula occludens-1(ZO-1),Occludin,mucin 2(MUC2)and mucin 4(MUC4),as well as decreased mRNA levels of toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)and myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)in mice.Further research showed that CLF treatment restored intestinal homeostasis mediated by improving the composition of gut microbiota and elevating the abundance of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus,Alistipes,Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 and Parasutterella.Overall,our findings revealed a novel function of CLF as a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia.