• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 1999

Hepatoprotective effects of Malloti cortex extract (MCE) from Mallotus japonicus against the carbon tetrachloride (CCl$_{4}$) and galactosamine (GalN) were investigated. Whereas serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were markedly elevated after CCl$_{4}$ and GalN administration, pretreatment and posttreatment with MCE before and after the injection of CCl$_{4}$ and GalN resulted in decreases in elevated serum aminotransferase activities. Whereas CCl$_{4}$ and GalN treatment caused 3~7 fold increases in sorbitol dehydrogenase and ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase activities, pretreatment and posttreatment with MCE resulted in the blocking of CCl$_{4}$ and GalN-induced liver toxicity. The hepatoprotective effect of MCE was in part due to MCE-induced elevation of hepatic glutathione levels. Pretreatment and posttreatment with MCE also reduced increased lipid peroxidation induced by CCl$_{4}$ and GalN. These results suggest that MCE may be useful for the prevention and therapy of hepatotoxic pathogenesis. It is presumed that protective and therapeutic effects of MCE due to be inducible glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase activities, involving in glutathione-medicated detoxication and maintainment of glutathione content, respectively.

• Molecular Medicine Reports
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.3321-3329
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• 2019

Cuscuta chinensis Lamak (CCL) has traditionally been used in Korea to treat sexual disorders and skin problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of CCL extract on surgical injury-induced ischemia in the hind limbs of mice. Specifically, female C57BL/6 mice were ovariectomized, and their hind-limb vessels were ligated with surgical silk (6-0) and excised. CCL (150 or 450 mg/kg/BW) was then administered to the mice for 3 weeks, and the blood flow rate was evaluated using a laser Doppler system at -7, 0, 7, 14 and 21 days following hind-limb ischemia. The serum expression profiles of angiogenic and inflammatory mediators were measured using an antibody array, and the transcript levels were reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The rate of hind limb blood flow was normalized to non-ischemic lesions and revealed to be markedly elevated at 14 and 21 days following ischemia when compared with the vehicle group. The density of capillaries in the hind limbs was also significantly increased following treatment with CCL in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the transcriptional expression of angiogenetic factors were upregulated, whereas that of inflammatory cytokines were downregulated. Finally, vascular endothelial cell migration and tube formation were evaluated in vitro using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and identified to be significantly increased following treatment with CCL. Overall, the results of the present study indicate that CCL extract exhibits therapeutic potential for the treatment of hind-limb ischemia as it promotes peripheral angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in mice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.370-378
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Dendropanax morbifera (D. morbifera) leaf hot-water extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-treated HepG2 cells. Treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract increased the cell viability of CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells without inducing cytotoxicity. The levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) released by CCl₄-treated cells were 27.6 U/L and 52.4 U/L, respectively, and were significantly higher than those in untreated control cells (10.0 U/L and 15.2 U/L, respectively). Moreover, the level of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was 5.4 times higher, while that of glutathione was 44.0% lower in CCl₄-treated cells than in control cells. However, treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the levels of ALT, AST, and GGT, and an increase in the level of glutathione. Moreover, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells was effectively reduced after treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Additionally, overproduction of intracellular lipids induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively inhibited by D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract treatment. Furthermore, DCFDA staining showed that overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively reduced by treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Our results indicate that owing to its beneficial effects, D. morbifera leaf extract has considerable potential as a functional food material for liver protection.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.604-609
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• 2011

Pine (pinus densiflora) needles have long been used as a traditional health-promoting medicinal food in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of pine needle extracts on the hepatic antioxidant system in the damaged liver of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-treated rats. Nine-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: normal group (NOR), $CCl_4$-treated group (CCL), pine needle hot water extract and $CCl_4$-treated group (CCL-P), and Vitamin C and $CCl_4$-treated group (CCL-V). The enzyme activities and antioxidant effects of the pine needle hot water extracts were investigated at the levels of liver homogenates and serum of rats intoxicated with $CCl_4$. Serum GOT and GPT activities by $CCl_4$ treatment increased compared to those of the NOR group. However, they tended to decrease in the hot water extract-administered group. Liver SOD activity in the CCL group was significantly lower than the NOR group (p<0.05). However, they increased in the CCL-P group compared to the CCL group. Further, the CAT and GPx activities of serum treated with $CCl_4$ were higher compared to those of the NOR group but lower in the CCL-P group compared to CCL group. These results suggest that pine needle hot water extract increases antioxidant activities.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.243-250
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• 2009

Fifty percent ethanol extract of Lythrum salicaria Linne root (LSR) was tested in vitro on antioxidant activity, and furthermore was investigated on antioxidative and fibrosis protecting activities in $CCL_4$-induced liver fibrosis rat model. Ratio of hepatic GSH/GSSG (reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione) as bio-parameter of antioxidant level in $CCL_4$ plus LSR-treated rats for 6 weeks significantly increased from 2.8- to 5.7-fold than that of $CCL_4$-treated rats at p < 0.05. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) contents in $CCL_4$ plus LSR-treated rats ranged from 1.57- to 2.19-fold of normal rats and were lower than those in $CCL_4$ plus silymarin-treated rats ($1.78{\sim}2.46$-fold of normal rats) (p < 0.05). Amounts of hydroxyproline of liver tissue showing the content of total collagen, a parameter of fibrosis, in $CCL_4$ plus LSR-administrated rat livers were $4.9{\sim}8.8{\mu}g$/mg ($-47{\sim}-71%$, compared with that in $CCL_4$-treated rat livers ($16.6{\mu}g$/mg tissue), which were significantly lower than those in $CCL_4$ plus silymarin-administrated rats being $8.4{\sim}11.7{\mu}g$/mg ($-30{\sim}-50%$). This collagen reducing effect of liver tissue in $CCL_4$ plus LSR-treated rats was supported by histological observation using microscopy assay. From the results, we conclude that the root of L. salicaria have efficient antioxidant potential and effective antifibrotic activities.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of LAB (Lactic acid bacteria: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Streptococcus thermophilus) on detoxication of damaged liver in carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) and ethanol (25%)-treated rats. Rats had been daily (twice a day) pre-treated with saline (0.5 ml/kg: untreated group), $CCl_4$ (0.5 ml/kg: other groups) for 6 days. At seventh day, after treating rat with $CCl_4$ and then, mixture of LAB ($10^{11}$/0.5 ml: LAB group), saline (0.5 ml/kg: untreated group, $CCl_4$ group), and biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB) (50 mg/kg: DDB group) were treated orally with $CCl_4$ for 8 days. Ethanol is treated as the same manner instead of $CCl_4$. To investigate the hepatoprotective effect, rats treated with $CCl_4$ and ethanol were analyzed with serum GOT and GPT level. The GOT and GPT levels of LAB group was lower than the level of $CCl_4$ and DDB group. Especially, compared with data of $CCl_4$ group, GPT activity showed statistically significant result in the significance level of p < 0.05. The LAB group treated with ethanol also showed lower level of GOT and GPT than the other control groups treated with ethanol. The triglyceride level of serum decreased more in a group treated special materials (DDB and LAB group) than ethanol group. As well, the effect of LAB on the antifatigue has been investigated. The animals (10/group) were divided into 4 groups (untreated group, Carrier group, Red-ginseng group, LAB group). Each group was given carrier (0.9 mg/0.2 ml), red ginseng extract (200 mg/kg), and mixture of LAB ($10^{11}$/0.2 ml). Special materials were given for three weeks. After finishing treating through oral, horizontal wire test, rotarod test, and forced swimming test were performed. The time of resistance to fatigue of the group, fed with mixture of LAB, was longer than the time when mice treated with red-ginseng that the effect was already revealed. The result of this study revealed that LAB could decrease hepatocelluar injury compared with rats treated orally with $CCl_4$ and ethanol, and could also decrease fatigue.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.943-951
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• 1997

The present study was undertaken to investigate the inhibition effects of sancho(Zanthoxylum schinifolium) on lipid peroxidation and liver damage in carbon tetrachloride tetracloride-treated mice. Mice aged 3 weeks old were fed diets containing either dry sancho powder, methanol extract or hyperoside isolated from sancho at the various levels for 2 weeks(sancho, methanol extract from sancho) or 3 days (hyperoside) before $CCl_{4}$ treatments. Seed coats of sancho added to diet with the levels from 1.25 to 5.0% significantly reduced(p<0.001) thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) formation in liver and serum of mice treated with carbon tetrachloride. $CCl_{4}$ treatments significantly increased (p<0.001) in liver TBARS comparing with those of the untreated control, while methanol extract from the seed coat of sancho added to diet with the levels from 0.5 to 1.0% significantly reduced (p<0.01) to 20mg per kg of body weight showed significant reduction(p<0.01, p<0.001) of liver TBARS in mice treated with $CCl_{4}$. $CCl_{4}$ treatments significantly increased(p<0.05) in serum TBARS comparing with those the levels from 0.5 to 1.0% significantly reduced(p<0.01) serum TBARS in mice treated with $CCl_{4}$, and administration of hyperoside with the levels from 10 to 20mg per kg of body weight showed significant reduction(p<0.01, p<0.001) of serum TBARS in mice treated with $CCl_{4}$. $CCl_{4}$ significantly increased(p<0.001) in serum AST activities comparing with those of the untreated control, while either addition(0.5, 1.0%) of methanol extract from sancho or administration(10, 20mg/kg) of hyperoside significantly reduced(p<0.001, p<0.05) serum AST activities in $CCl_{4}$-treated mice. $CCl_{4}$ treatments showed significant increases(p<0.001) in serum ALT activities comparing with those of the untreated control, while either addition(0.5, 1.0%) of methanol extract from sancho or administration (10, 20mg/kg) of hyperoside showed moderate decreases(p<0.01, p<0.001) serum ALT activities in $CCl_{4}$-treated mice.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.181-197
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• 1999

In order to investigate the protective effect of Samduhaejungtang-gamibang on the liver injury of rats induced by $CCl_4$ and d-galactosamine, the serum transaminase(GOT& GPT) alkaline phosphatase(ALP), lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) for enzyme activities and triglyceride, total bilirubin amounts for serum component were measured. All animals were divided into 4 groups, those were normal group(untreated), control group(treated with vehicle 0.9% Saline solution), sample Ⅰ group(1500mg/kg administrated), sample Ⅱ group(3000mg/kg administrated). The results were as follows: 1. The inhibitory effects of the serum GOT activities in rats induced by $CCl_4$ were noted in sample Ⅱ group(p<0.01). In serum GPT activities, sample Ⅱ group(p<0.05) only showed the inhibitory effects. 2. The inhibitory effects of the serum ALP activities in rats induced by $CCl_4$ were noted in sample Ⅱ group(p<0.01) 3. The inhibitory effects of the serum LPH activities in rats induced by $CCl_4$ were noted in sample Ⅱ group, but it is not recognized statistically. 4. The increases effects of the serum triglyceride content level in rats induced by $CCl_4$ were inhibited in both sample Ⅰ group(p<0.05) and sample Ⅱ group(p<0.01) 5. The increases effects of the serum total bilirubin content level in rats induced by $CCl_4$ were inhibited in sample Ⅱ group(p<0.05) 6. The inhibitory effects of the serum GOT, GPT activities in rats induced by d-galactosamine were noted in sample Ⅱ group (p<0.001), but sample Ⅰ group was not recognized. 7. The signiticantly inhibitory effects of in the serum LDH activities in rats induced by d-galactosamine were noted in both sample Ⅰ group(p<0.05) and sample Ⅱ group (p<0.001) 8. The increases of the serum ALP content level in rats induced by d-galactosamine were inhibited in sample Ⅱ group(p<0.05) 9. The increases of the serum total bilirubin content level in rats induced d-galactosamine were inhibited in sample Ⅱgroup(p<0.05) According to the above results, it is considered that Samduhaejungtang-gamibang has protective effect against liver injury in rats induced by $CCl_4$ and d-galactosamine. So it is required to study about the actions of mutual relation of medicines and patho-mechanism by experiment.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.789-794
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Cassia tora ethanol extracts on carbon tetrachloride($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following 4 groups: normal group, $CCl_4$, treated group, $CCl_4-0.25%$ Cassia tora ethanol extracts group and $CCl_4-0.5%$ Cassia tora ethanol extracts group. Rats were fed with each experimental diet and water for 5 weeks. Liver weights of rats treated only with $CCl_4$, were significantly increased compared to normal group, but not in rats fed diet containing Cassia tora ethanol extracts. Cholesterol and triglyceride contents in serum and liver were also not influenced by either $CCl_4$, treatment or the supplementation of Cassia tora ethanol extracts. $CCl_4$, treatment significantly increased ALP activities, however the supplementation of Cassia tora ethanol extracts significantly decreased the activities of serum ALT, AST, ${\gamma}-GTP$ in dose-dependent manner. Cassia tora ethanol extracts significantly reduced $CCl_4-induced$ elevation of liver TBARS contents. Activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were decreased by $CCl_4$, treatment, however by the supplement of Cassia tora ethanol extracts slightly increased activities of SOD and catalase. The activity of glutathione peroxidase in groups fed diets containing Cassia tora ethanol extracts was significantly decreased compared to that of the control group. These results suggest that Cassia tora ethanol extracts may exert protective effect against $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury through the prevention of lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.4 s.71
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• pp.572-577
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• 2005

In this study, the effect of Epimedii Herba (EH) on the antioxidative enzymatic activity was investigated. EH (100mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered into rats for 2 weeks. On the last day, carbon tetrachloride $(50\%\;CCl_4,\;3.3ml/kg,\;i.p.)$ dissolved in olive oil was injected before 12 hours. EH-pread-ministered and $CCl_4-treated$ (EC) group showed higher inhibitory effect in aminotransferase (AST, ALT) activity compared to $CCl_4-treated (CT)$ group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase in EC group were increased compared to those of CT group. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was significantly higher than those of CT group compared to EC group. These results suggest that EH has a hepatoprotective effect through scavenging the free radicals induced by $CCl_4$.