• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.978-983
• /
• 2006

We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of mycelial culture extract from Phellinus linteus (MCPL) for suppression in the process of ethanol-induced inflammation in rat liver. Levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly increased in the serum of ethanol-treated rats compared to normal. However, the level of ALT was arrested markedly in ethanol-treated rats with MCPL compared to ethanol alone treated control ones. Severe histopathological changes of liver such as cloudy swelling, inflammatory cells infiltration, Kupffer cell reaction and focal necrosis were demonstrated in the rats challenged with ethanol compared with normal. Fewer scores of these changes were observed in MCPL-treated rat with recovered glycogen in centrolobular region of hepatic lobule. The Western analysis showed that the expression of inflammatory proteins such as cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ were increased in the ethanol-treated rat. But decline of COX-2 and iNOS expression were observed in MCPL-treated rat. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression of COX-2 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ tended to increase in ethanol-treated rat, but decrease of these reactions were induced by MCPL treatment. These results suggest that MCPL may act as a protective agent for alcohol-induced liver injury through a regulating inflammation-related proteins.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.551-560
• /
• 2015

Here we report the protective activity of cultured Acer tegmentosum cell extract against liver damage in rat intentionally instigated by D-galactosamine. Local fat degeneration and infiltration of inflammatory cells were significantly decreased in cultured A. tegmentosum cell extract administered rat. In addition, acutely increased AST, ALT, LDH, ALP activities and lipid peroxidation and lipid content by liver damage were recovered in experimental rat administrated with A. tegmentosum extract. These results showed that cultured A. tegmentosum cell extract has a role in blood enzyme activation and lipid content restoration within damaged rat liver tissues. Moreover expression rate of TNF-α which accelerates inflammation and induces tissue damage and necrosis was significantly decreased. Also activities of antioxidant enzymes were more effectively upregulated comparing to those of the control group induced hepatotoxicity. All data that cultured A. tegmentosum cell extract has a preventive role against liver damages such as inflammation, tissue necrosis in rats by improving activities of blood enzymes, antioxidant enzymes and modulating expression of inflammation factor, suggest that cultured Acer tegmentosum cell extract is an effective medicinal resource for restoration of hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.516-520
• /
• 2002

This study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Semisulcospira libertina and garlic on the acute hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl$_4$) of rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200∼220g were pretreated with dehydrated powder of Semisulcospira libertina (2.1 g/kg, po; SL) and dehydrated powder mixture of Semisulcospira libertina and garlic (3g/kg, 7:3 ratio, po; SG) once daily for 3 consecutive days, and then given a single dose of CCl$_4$(1g/kg in 5ml/kg corn oil, po) and liver function was determined 24 hrs later. Liver damage was assessed by quantitating activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as by histopathological examination. Pretreatments with SL and SG significantly decleased CCl$_4$-elevated ALT (48% and 61% respectively), AST (32% and 47%) and SDH (51% and 76%), but had no effect on ALP. SL and SG had revealed hepatoprotective effects against CCl$_4$-induced histopathological changes such as severe necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration and congestion in the central gene of hepatic lobule. These findings demonstrate that SL and SG may haute the hepatoprotective effect on CCl$_4$-induced liver damage.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.1346-1351
• /
• 2007

Crohn' disease is an auto-immune disease characterized by intermittent chronic diarrhea, high fever, weight loss, abdominal spastic pain or abdominal discomfort which is followed by granulomatous necrosis and cicatrical inflammation. It is also called segmental enteritis or granulomatous enteritis. In western medicine the exact cause is undefined, however it is presumed as an immunological unbalance in alimentary tract commoonly occured in ileum portion of small intestitine or ascending colon and therefore immuno suppressive agents(usually steroids) and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. In case of emergency such as ileus, perforation of intestinal wall surgical methods are considered. In oriental medicine this falls under the category of diarrhea(泄瀉), dysentery(痢疾), splenic diarrhea(脾泄). As to the pathological mechanism the abnormal ascending and descending circulation of stomach and splenic energy(脾不升淸, 胃不下降) the hepatic stagnation(肝鬱氣滯) and dysfunction of small intestine in expelling urine and feces(小陽淸獨不利) all together causes such condition. Main treatments are inducing diuresis(利小便), warming kindey to reinforce yang(溫賢助陽), nourishing the middle energy to invigorate spleen(補中健脾), elimination of the dampness by cooling(淸熱燥濕). In this case the patient was diagnosed as soyangyin(少陽人) constitution and herb medicine soyangyin Hyongbangjihwan-tang(少陽人 荊防地黃湯), Sa-am acupuncture Sojangjeonggyeok(小腸政格) was applied. There was an significant improve in chief complaints and general conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.400-404
• /
• 2007

The present study was carried out to investigate the antitumor activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) herbal extract in rat tumor model. We used a new tumor animal model for the invasion and metastasis of cancer using genetically k-ras-induced rat kidney cells (RK3E-ras). We observed tumor as early as 7 days after the injection of RK3E-ras cells in subcutaneous of Sprague-Dawley rats. All of the rats developed tumor mass at the inoculated site. After 7 days, the experimental groups were divided into two: saline control and injected with SM (200 mg/kg) groups. We investigated tumor's weight, size and hepatic metastasis of each group. Injection of SM herbal extract every other day for 14 days significantly inhibited tumor growth. Histologically, the tumors were undifferentiated carcinoma showing multifactorial necrosis and hemorrhage; also, the tumor invaded into hepatoportal region. Treatment with SM herbal extract caused significant inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. Our data showed that SM herbal extract is effective in controlling the tendency of tumor cell proliferation and metastasis by injection of RK3E-ras cells. These findings provided the potential value of SM as a novel antitumor agent candidate.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.113-122
• /
• 2018

Objectives : Alcoholic fatty liver is an early and reversible consequence of excessive alcohol consumption. The initial hepatocyte cell death stimulates subsequent inflammatory responses, leading to further liver injury and fibrosis. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of Injinsaryung-san extract on the alcoholic fatty liver by chronic EtOH administration. Method : Male Sprague Dawley rats were used in this study. All animals were randomly divided into Normal group, treated with saline (n=10); EtOH group, treated with ethanol (n=10); EtOH+IS group, treated with ethanol+Injinsaryung-san extract (n=10). For oral administration of ethanol in Control and Sample group, the ethanol was dissolved in distilled water in concentrations of 25%(v/v). Throughout the experiment of 8 week, the rats were allowed free access to water and standard chow. Sample group were administrated by Injinsaryung-san extract daily for 8 weeks. Results : The levels of hepatic marker such as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were altered. Histopathological changes were reduced and the expression of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) was markedly attenuated by Injinsaryung-san extract. Conclusion : These data suggest that Injinsaryung-san extract could be effective in protecting the liver from alcoholic fatty liver. The hepatoprotective mechanisms of Injinsaryung-san may be related to attenuation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ protein, as well as to the inhibition of inflammatory response in the liver. Therefore, Injinsaryung-san can be a candidate to protect against alcoholic fatty liver.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.56 no.5
• /
• pp.224-226
• /
• 2013

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is characterized by a severe idiosyncratic reaction including rash and fever, often with associated hepatitis, arthralgias, lymph node enlargement, or hematologic abnormalities. The mortality rate is approximately 10%, primarily owing to liver failure with massive or multiple disseminated focal necrosis. Here, we report a case of a 14-year-old girl treated with vancomycin because of a wound infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, who presented with non-specific symptoms, which progressed to acute liver failure, displaying the hallmarks of DRESS syndrome. With the presence of aggravated hepatic encephalopathy and azotemia, the patient was refractory to medical treatments, she received a living-donor liver transplantation, and a cure was achieved without any sign of recurrence. Vancomycin can be a cause of DRESS syndrome. A high index of suspicion and rapid diagnosis are necessary not to miss this potentially lethal disease.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.183-191
• /
• 2008

Acetaminophen (N-acety1-p-aminophenol, paracetamol) is widely used as an over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic drug. Intake of a over dose of acetaminophen may result in severe hepatic necrosis. In this study, we investigated the liver damage in mice using single dose (300 mg/kg) of acetaminophen and the possible protective effects of administration (50-200 mg/kg body weight) of SB-Ex on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in mice. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were determined in the plasma of mice. The effect of SB-Ex on lipid peroxidation product thiobarbituric reacting substances (TBARS) and some antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, d-aminolevulinate dehydratase (${\sigma}$-ALA-D) activities, and gluthathione peroxidase (GPx), were also evaluated in the mouse liver homogenate. Acetaminophen caused liver damage as evident by statistically significant increased in plasma activities of AST and ALT. There were general statistically significant losses in the activities of SOD, catalase, ${\sigma}$-ALA-D, and GPx and an increase in TBARS in the liver of acetaminophen-treated group compared with the control group. However, SB-Ex was able to counteract these effects. These results suggest that SB-Ex can act as hepatoprotectives against acetaminophen toxicity and is a good candidate for further evaluation as an effective chemotherapeutic agent.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.131-139
• /
• 2013

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of housing systems on physiological and immunological responses as stress indicators in laying hens. A total of 500 White Leghorn aged 16 weeks were allotted into ten conventional cages (10 birds/cage and 810 $cm^2$/bird) and four floor pens (100 birds/pen and 2,800 $cm^2$/bird) for 24 weeks. The hens housed in conventional cages with higher stocking density resulted in a significantly (P<0.05) lower BW compared with those housed in floor pens with lower stocking density without affecting the relative weights of immune organs between housing conditions. In plasma biochemical values, cholesterol and corticosterone were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the hens housed in floor pens compared with those housed in conventional cages. In pro-inflammatory cytokines, hepatic interleukin (IL)-10 and interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the hens housed in conventional cages compared with those kept in floor pens. Splenic and thymic IFN-${\gamma}$ expression was significantly (P<0.05) up-regulated in the hens kept in conventional cages compared with those kept in floor pens without affecting IL-1, IL-10, lipopolysaccharide- induced tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ factor (LITAF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In the bursa of Fabricius, IL-10 and iNOS expression of the hens housed in conventional cages were significantly (P<0.05) higher compared with those of the hens housed in floor pens. In conclusion, layers housed in conventional cages enhanced plasma cholesterol, corticosterone and some pro-inflammatory cytokines in the immune organs compared with those in floor pens.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.36 no.1 s.140
• /
• pp.44-49
• /
• 2005

The protective effects of the DWP-04 [DDB : selenium yeast: glutathione {31.1 : 6.8 : 62.1 (%, w/w)} against hepatotoxicity by carbon tetrachloride $(CCl_4)$ were studied in rats. The rats were intraperitoneally injected with $CCl_4$ (50% in com oil) at initial dose of 1 ml/kg followed by 0.5 ml/kg 3 times during 1 week. The DWP-04 (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg) or its vehicle was administered everyday before the start of $CCl_4$ injection for two weeks. $CCl_4$ induced hepatocelluar degeneration and necrosis, which led to a great increase in serum aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase activity and serum lipid levels. It was found by biochemical analysis that $CCl_4$ treatment remarkably increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and physphatidylcholine hydroperoxide in hepatic tissues and induced antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Liver and serum lipids were significantly lower in rats fed on DWP-04 than in rats induced by $CCl_4$ only-treatment. These results suggested that the DWP-04 could be a promising candidate for the protection of liver injury based on the preventive effects against lipid peroxidation and serum biochemical parameters.