scholarly journals Hepatoprotective Effect of the Ethanol Extract of Illicium henryi against Acute Liver Injury in Mice Induced by Lipopolysaccharide

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Islam ◽  
Yu ◽  
Miao ◽  
Liu ◽  
He ◽  
...  

The root bark of Illicium henryi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat lumbar muscle strain and rheumatic pain. Its ethanol extract (EEIH) has been previously reported to attenuate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury in mice. The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activities and in vivo protective effects of EEIH against LPS-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice as well as explore its molecular mechanisms. The mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with EEIH at the doses of 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/kg every day for 5 days. One hour after the last administration, the mice were administered i.p. with LPS (8 mg/kg). After fasting for 12 h, blood and liver tissues were collected to histopathological observation, biochemical assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot analyses. EEIH possessed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid) disodium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activities and ferric-reducing antioxidant capacity in vitro. The histopathological examination, serum biochemical analysis, and liver myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity showed that EEIH pretreatment alleviated LPS-induced liver injury in mice. EEIH significantly dose-dependently decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2 in liver tissue of LPS-induced ALI mice via downregulating the mRNA and protein expressions of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and inhibiting the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65. Furthermore, EEIH markedly ameliorated liver oxidative and nitrosative stress burden in LPS-treated mice through reducing the content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nitric oxide (NO) levels, restoring the decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and up-regulating nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). These results demonstrate that EEIH has protective effects against ALI in mice via alleviating inflammatory response, oxidative and nitrosative stress burden through activating the Nrf2 and suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways. The hepatoprotective activity of EEIH might be attributed to the flavonoid compounds such as catechin (1), 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavone (2), and taxifolin (7) that most possibly act synergistically.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonora Starikova ◽  
Jennet Mammedova ◽  
Arina Ozhiganova ◽  
Aleksandra Lebedeva ◽  
Anna Malashicheva ◽  
...  

Acute liver injury in its terminal phase trigger systemic inflammatory response syndrome with multiple organ failure. An uncontrolled inflammatory reaction is difficult to treat and contributes to high mortality. Therefore, to solve this problem a search for new therapeutic approaches remains urgent. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of M. edulis hydrolysate (N2-01) against Lipopolysaccharide-D-Galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN)-induced murine acute liver injure and the underlying mechanisms. N2-01 analysis, using Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) metabolomic and proteomic platforms, confirmed composition, molecular-weight distribution, and high reproducibility between M. edulis hydrolysate manufactured batches. N2-01 efficiently protected mice against LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver injury. The most prominent result (100% survival rate) was obtained by the constant subcutaneous administration of small doses of the drug. N2-01 decreased Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression from 4.648 ± 0.445 to 1.503 ± 0.091 Mean Fluorescence Intensity (MFI) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in activated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) from 7.473 ± 0.666 to 2.980 ± 0.130 ng/ml in vitro. The drug increased Nitric Oxide (NO) production by HUVECs from 27.203 ± 2.890 to 69.200 ± 4.716 MFI but significantly decreased inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) expression from 24.030 ± 2.776 to 15.300 ± 1.290 MFI and NO production by murine peritoneal lavage cells from 6.777 ± 0.373 µm to 2.175 ± 0.279 µm. The capability of the preparation to enhance the endothelium barrier function and to reduce vascular permeability was confirmed in Electrical Cell-substrate Impedance Sensor (ECIS) test in vitro and Miles assay in vivo. These results suggest N2-01 as a promising agent for treating a wide range of conditions associated with uncontrolled inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.


Pharmacology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suliman Al Humayed ◽  
Fahaid Al-Hashem ◽  
Mohamed A. Haidara ◽  
Abbas O. El Karib ◽  
Samaa S. Kamar ◽  
...  

Background: The potential protective effects of resveratrol (RES) on the modulation of hepatic biomarkers of apoptosis and survival, p53-Bax axis, and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) in an animal model of paracetamol-induced acute liver injury have not been investigated before. Methods: The model group of rats received a single dose of paracetamol (2 g/kg, orally), whereas the protective group of rats were pretreated for 7 days with RES (30 mg/kg, i.p.) before they were given a single dose of paracetamol. All rats were then sacrificed 24-h post paracetamol ingestion. Results: Histology images showed that paracetamol overdose induced acute liver injury, which was substantially protected by RES. Paracetamol significantly (p < 0.05) modulated p53, apoptosis regulator Bax, Bcl-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, which were significantly protected by RES. We further demonstrated a significant (p< 0.01) correlation between either p53 or Bcl-2 scoring and the levels of inflammatory, nitrosative stress, and liver injury biomarkers. Conclusion: We demonstrate a substantial protection by RES pretreatment against paracetamol-induced modulation of p53-Bax axis, Bcl-2, and other acute liver injury biomarkers in rats.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richi Nakatake ◽  
Yoshito Tanaka ◽  
Yosuke Ueyama ◽  
Hirokazu Miki ◽  
Morihiko Ishizaki ◽  
...  

Background: Recent evidence has indicated that a functional food, active hexose correlated compound (AHCC), has liver-protective effects via suppression of inflammatory mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α.Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether AHCC has beneficial effects in a rat model of endotoxin-induced liver injury after partial hepatectomy, in addition to clarifying the mechanisms of action of AHCC.Methods: Rats were treated with 70% of partial hepatectomy and lipopolysaccharide (PH/LPS) to induce acute liver injury. A normal diet with or without 2% AHCC was administered orally 10 days before 70% hepatectomy. Inflammatory mediators were analyzed.Results: AHCC improved the survival rate by 70% in PH/LPS rats. AHCC prevented an increase in serum transaminase levels, and histopathological changes and apoptosis in the liver. AHCC reduced iNOS mRNA and protein expression in the liver, resulting in inhibition of nitric oxide production. AHCC also reduced TNF-α, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1, and interleukin-6 mRNA expression, but enhanced expression of interleukin-10. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay with hepatic nuclear extracts demonstrated that AHCC reduced the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB induced by PH/LPS treatment.Conclusion: AHCC inhibits induction of inflammatory mediators, including iNOS and TNF-α, in part through inhibition of NF-κB activation in a rat model of liver injury. Our findings suggest that AHCC prevents postoperative liver failure after liver resection.Keywords: active hexose correlated compound, inducible nitric oxide synthase, liver injury, nuclear factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuke Nakamura ◽  
Hiroya Iida ◽  
Richi Nakatake ◽  
Tatsuma Sakaguchi ◽  
Masaki Kaibori ◽  
...  

Background: L-Carnitine has protective effects on various injured organs. However, it has not been reported whether L-carnitine influences the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression during inflammation. Nitric oxide (NO) produced by iNOS is an inflammatory indicator in organs which become inflamed, including the liver.Objective: This study aimed to examine whether L-carnitine influences the induction of iNOS gene expression in inflammatory cytokine-stimulated hepatocytes and the mechanisms involved in the action. Methods: L-Carnitine was added into the primary cultures of rat hepatocytes stimulated by interleukin-1β (an in vitro liver injury model). The production of NO and induction of iNOS and its signaling pathway were analyzed.Results: Transfection experiments with iNOS promoter-luciferase constructs revealed how L-carnitine inhibited iNOS mRNA synthesis activity and reduced its stability. In support of this observation, L-carnitine reduced iNOS mRNA and iNOS protein expression levels, resulting in reduced NO production. L-Carnitine blocked two essential pathways for iNOS induction: IκB kinase (IκB degradation/NF-κB activation) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt (type I IL-1 receptor upregulation).Conclusions: L-Carnitine inhibited the induction of inflammatory mediator iNOS, partially through inhibition of NF-κB activation, which demonstrated L-carnitine has protective effects in an in vitro liver injury model. L-Carnitine may have therapeutic potential for organ injuries, including the liver.Keywords: L-carnitine, hepatic encephalopathy, inducible nitric oxide synthase, liver injury, primary cultured hepatocytes, nuclear factor-κB, type I interleukin-1 receptor 


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lujing Shao ◽  
Xi Xiong ◽  
Yucai Zhang ◽  
Huijie Miao ◽  
Yuqian Ren ◽  
...  

Abstract Uncontrollable inflammatory response acts as a driver of sepsis-associated liver injury (SALI). IL-22 plays an important role in regulating inflammatory responses, but its role in SALI remains unknown. The aim of the study was to assess the association of serum IL-22 with SALI in pediatric patients and to enclose the underlying mechanisms of IL-22 involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice. Serum IL-22 levels in patients with SALI were significantly lower than in septic patients without liver injury, and the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of IL-22 for discriminating SALI was 0.765 (95% CI: 0.593–0.937). Pre-administration of recombinant murine IL-22 alleviated LPS-induced ALI in mice, and serum IL-6 levels and the mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in livers were decreased in response to IL-22 pre-treatment in mice. More importantly, IL-22 pre-treatment activated hepatic autophagy mediated by activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG7) signaling in vivo and in vitro in response to LPS administration. Moreover, knockdown of ATF4 in mice aggravated LPS-induced ALI, which was associated with suppressed ATG7-related autophagy. In addition, the protective effects of IL-22 on LPS-induced ALI was partially blocked by ATF4 knockdown, which was associated with lower expression of LC3II/I in the livers of ATF4 knockdown (HT or Atf4+/−) mice compared with wild-type mice (WT or Atf4+/+) mice. In conclusion, low serum IL-22 level is associated with SALI occurrence, and IL-22 pre-administration activates autophagy in hepatocytes and protects mice against LPS-induced ALI partially related to ATF4-ATG7 signaling pathway.


2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 767-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Gao ◽  
Huan Dou ◽  
Xin-Hui Tang ◽  
Li-Zhi Xu ◽  
Yi-Mei Fan ◽  
...  

Abstract Terminalia catappa L. leaves have been shown to protect against acute liver injury produced by some hepatotoxicants, but the active components and mechanisms are not clear. This study was designed to characterize the protective effects of the chloroform fraction of the ethanol extract of T. catappa leaves (TCCE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice, and analyze the changes in expression level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the process. It was found that TCCE pretreatment (10 or 30 mg/kg, ig) protected mice from CCl4 toxicity, as evidenced by the reversed alterations in serum alanine aminotransferase (sALT) and serum aspartate aminotransferase (sAST) activities. Additionally liver tissues were subjected to RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry to analyze changes in IL-6 expression. It was found that TCCE markedly suppressed the CCl4-induced over-transcription of IL-6 gene. Consistent with the result, the expression of IL-6 protein was also blocked by TCCE in CCl4-stimulated mice, especially in the area around central vein on liver tissue section. In conclusion, TCCE is effective in protecting mice from the hepatotoxicity produced by CCl4, and the mechanisms underlying its protective effects may be related to the inhibition on the overexpression of IL-6 mainly around terminal hepatic vein.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Ruokun Yi ◽  
Yuxuan Wei ◽  
Fang Tan ◽  
Jianfei Mu ◽  
Xingyao Long ◽  
...  

Shoumei is a kind of white tea (slightly fermented Camellia sinensis) that is rich in polyphenols. In this study, polyphenols were extracted from Shoumei. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that the polyphenols included mainly gallic acid, catechin, hyperoside, and sulfuretin. In an in vitro experiment, H2O2 was used to induce oxidative damage in human normal hepatic L-02 cells. In an animal experiment, CCl4 was used to induce liver injury. The in vitro results showed that Shoumei polyphenols inhibited oxidative damage in normal hepatic L-02 cells, and the in vivo results showed that the polyphenols effectively reduced liver index values in mice with liver injury. The polyphenols also decreased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 12 (IL-12), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels and increased albumin (ALB), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in the serum of mice with liver injury. Furthermore, pathological observation showed that the Shoumei polyphenols reduced CCl4-induced hepatocyte damage. qRT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the polyphenols upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), manganese- (Mn-) SOD, copper/zinc- (Cu/Zn-) SOD, CAT, and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) alpha (IκB-α) and downregulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NF-κB p65. The Shoumei polyphenols had a preventive effect against CCl4-induced mouse liver injury equivalent to that of silymarin. The four polyphenols identified as the key substances responsible for this effect mediated the effect through their antioxidant capacity. These results suggest that Shoumei polyphenols are high-quality natural products with liver-protective effects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 2048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suvesh Munakarmi ◽  
Lokendra Chand ◽  
Hyun Beak Shin ◽  
Kyu Yun Jang ◽  
Yeon Jun Jeong

3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a metabolic product of indole-3-carbinol extracted from cruciferous vegetables exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Earlier, the product has been demonstrated to possess anti-fibrotic properties; however, its protective effects on liver injury have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we postulated the effects and molecular mechanisms of action of DIM on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in mice. Acute liver injury was induced by a single intraperitoneal administration of CCl4 (1 ml/kg) into mice. DIM was injected via subcutaneous route for three days at various doses (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) before CCl4 injection. Mice were sacrificed and serum was collected for quantification of serum transaminases. The liver was collected and weighed. Treatment with DIM significantly reduced serum transaminases levels (AST and ALT), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). CCl4- induced apoptosis was inhibited by DIM treatment by the reduction in the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bcl2 associated X protein (Bax). DIM treated mice significantly restored Cytochrome P450 2E1, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in CCl4 treated mice. In addition, DIM downregulated overexpression of hepatic nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibited CCl4 mediated apoptosis. Our results suggest that the protective effects of DIM against CCl4- induced liver injury are due to the inhibition of ROS, reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators and apoptosis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knox Van Dyke ◽  
Erica Ghareeb ◽  
Robert Hoeldtke ◽  
Mark Van Dyke ◽  
Chris Van Dyke ◽  
...  

Since oxidative/nitrosative stress cause diabetes, can we prevent this chemistry generating the disease? Streptozotocin causes diabetes by entering the pancreatic beta cell generating excessive nitric oxide which reacts with oxygen creating a toxin possibly peroxynitrite, dinitrogen trioxide, dinitrogen tetraoxide and so forth. The toxic compounds damage the DNA causing beta cell death. This prevents insulin synthesis, storage and release. By using antioxidant substances that destroy the nitric-oxide-based toxins (e.g., carboxy-PTIO (oxidizes nitric oxide), polyphenolic-quercetin and monophenolic acetaminophen (Tylenol)) which are oxidation and nitration targets can the diabetes I causing toxins in animals be destroyed? Will this tri-drug combination completely prevent the deleterious effects of diabetes namely poor blood glucose control and blindness from cataracts for the entire length of the experiment (one year). These disease reversal experiments were accomplished in rats where the streptozotocin-diabetic effects were completely thwarted. In vitro experiments were accomplished to provide the scientific basis for the experimental results in animals.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document