• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.19-28
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• 2024

Objectives : Ephedrae Herba has been used in the East Asian traditional medicine, for treatment of asthma, cold and influenza. Silymarin is an effective antioxidant and its anti-fibrogenic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties have been reported. This study was performed to explore an anti-fibrogenic potential of Ephedrae Herba extract (EHE) + silymarin on immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line, LX-2 cells. Methods : We studied the anti-fibrogenic effects of EHE + silymarin on transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) signaling pathway in LX-2 cells. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. TGF-β1 signaling-related proteins expression were detected by Western blot. Results : Silymarin 30 ㎍/mL and EHE 100 ㎍/mL showed cytotoxicity on LX-2 cells. Therefore, the concentrations of silymarin and EHE were studied at 10 ㎍/mL, respectively. Silymarin significantly reduced PAI-1 protein expression, Smad binding element (SBE) luciferase activity, and mRNA (PAI-1, MMP2 and 9) expression compared to TGF-β1. EHE significantly reduced SBE luciferase activity and mRNA (PAI-1, MMP2 and 9) expression compared to TGF-β1. More importantly, EHE + silymarin significantly reduced all parameters compared to TGF-β1, and also significantly reduced compared to EHE alone and silymarin alone. Conclusion : The results indicate that EHE + silymarin has anti-fibrogenic effect in LX-2 cells induced by TGF-β1. Additionally, EHE + silymarin shows more effective anti-fibrogenic effect than EHE alone and silymarin alone.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1282-1288
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• 2016

Artemisia, a plant widely used as traditional herbal medicine in many countries, has drawn attention of the researchers. And its extracts or compounds are known to have an efficacy of antioxidant, anti-diabete, anti-cancer, anti-inflammation and neuroprotection. Sumaeyaksuk is a variant of the Artemisia argyi and major constituents are eupatilin and jaceosidin. This study was performed to investigate the effects of the sumaeyaksuk aqueous extract on inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. To examine the potential hepatoprotective properties of sumaeyaksuk extract, cell viability, as well as nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels, alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities, were measured. Cytotoxic activity of extracts on HepG2 cells was measured by MTT assay. Sumaeyaksuk extract did not induce cytotoxicity at concentrations of $0{\sim}400{\mu}g/mL$. NO and ROS levels significantly decreased with increasing concentration of the extract. The secretion levels of M-CSF and IL-8 were suppressed by sumaeyaksuk extract in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, ALT (75.4%) and AST (61.6%) levels significantly decreased in sumaeyaksuk extract-treated cells at $400{\mu}g/mL$. These results suggested that the sumaeyaksuk extract attenuates the LPS-induced hepatotoxicity resulting from regulation of inflammatory factors and could potentially be used as a hepatitis therapeutic agent.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.233-242
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• 2013

The genus Taraxacum, known by the common name Dandelion, is a medicinal herb in the family Asteraceae. It has been traditionally used as a folk medicine for the treatment or prevention of various diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. In this study, we attempted to evaluate protective effects of Dandelion related with anti-oxidative activity to Thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver damage. 36 rats were randomly assigned to six experimental groups : Control, Dandelion water extract (DWE), TAA, TAA&DWE 300, TAA&DWE 600, TAA&DWE 1,200 groups. Rats in DWE and TAA&DWE groups were pretreated with DWE (300, 600 or 1,200 mg/kg BW) by gavage for 7 days. All rats were treated intraperitoneally with TAA (200 mg/kg BW) or normal saline at 12 hours after last oral administration and sacrificed at 12 hours after last treatment. Levels of WBC and Neutrophil count were significantly decresed in TAA&DWE 1,200 group compared with that in TAA group (P<0.05). In TAA&DWE 600 and TAA&DWE 1,200 groups, serum AST, ALT, GGT levels were lower than TAA group (P<0.05). The serum TG level was significantly elevated in TAA&DWE groups compared with those in TAA group. Liver tissues from TAA group showed extensive histopathological changes, characterized by moderate or severe hepatocytes degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, and congestion. In the TAA&DWE group, The severity of histopathological lesions were decreased compared to those in the TAA group. The MDA concentration was significantly decreased and GSH content was significantly increased in the TAA&DWE 1,200 group compared to those in the TAA group. GR, CAT and GST activities in the TAA&DWE 1,200 group were significantly increased compared to those in the TAA group.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.375-384
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• 2019

The root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer were extracted with 70% aqueous EtOH and the concentrates were partitioned into MeOH and H₂O fractions using Diaion HP-20. The repeated SiO₂ or octadecyl SiO₂ column, and MPLC for the MeOH fraction led to isolation of four malonyl ginsenosides. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined as malonyl ginsenoside Rd (1) malonyl ginsenoside Rc (2) malonyl ginsenoside Rb2 (3) malonyl ginsenoside Rb1 (4) based on spectroscopic analyses including Nuclear magnetic resonance and HR-TOF/MS. The contents of malonyl ginsenoside Rb1 was highist as 5.44 mg/g of five years of ginseng. And malonyl ginsenoside Rd was lowest as 0.11 mg/g of six years of ginseng. Additionally, the malonyl ginsenoside Rd exhibited hepatoprotective effect against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cell line.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.131-137
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• 2005

Acetaminophen(APAP) is one of the most extensively used analgesics and antipyreics worldwide. In order to investigate preventive effects of white and red ginseng extracts, male ICR mice pretreated with white or red ginseng extracts(50 or 250 mg/kg/day, for 5 days, orally) before treatment with acetaminophen(800mg/kg, i.p, single dose). In an attempt to elucidate the possible mechanism of hepatoprotective effect, superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), hydroperoxide, malondialdehyde(MDA) contents were studied. In pretreatment with red ginseng extract(250 mg/kg), the activities of SOD, CAT were generally highest and the hydrogen peroxide content was lowest. The levels of MDA were significantly lower in white and red ginseng extract groups than those in the APAP groups. By treatment with ginseng extract, high content of hydrogen peroxide and increased lipid peroxidatiion level caused by APAP could be lowered. Also, ginseng extracts were found to increase antioxidative enzyme activity. Finally, the results suggest that the antioxidant effects of (white and red) ginseng extracts prevent oxidative damage by direct antioxidant effects involving SOD, CAT and increasing the ability to synthesize endogenous antioxidants. It was concluded that ginseng can protect against APAP intoxication through its antioxidant properties.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.106-112
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to investigate the protective effects of ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai (AE) against carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver injury in rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups in order to receive the following experimental diets with intraperitoneal injection of $CCl_4$ (2.0 mL/kg body weight, 20% solution 0.65 mL) for eight weeks (n = 8 per group): $CCl_4$ control (CON), $CCl_4$ + AE 1% (AE1), $CCl_4$ + AE 3% (AE3), or $CCl_4$ + acanthoic acid 0.037%, which is equivalent to AE 3% (AA). Results: Highest serum ALT activity and albumin level were observed in the $CCL_4$ control group, but showed a significant decrease by either AE or AA supplementation in a dose-dependent manner (p = 0.0063 and 0.0076, respectively). Both hemotoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's staining indicated remarkable prevention of $CCl_4$-induced liver damage in the AE3 group. $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-6 production were significantly lowered in the AE treated groups, but not in the AA group (p = 0.0016 and p = 0.0002, respectively). The effects of AE3 were greater than those of AA for inflammation and liver toxicity biomarkers. Conclusion: Taken together, the results suggested that ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai provided hepatoprotective effects, leading to the reduction of inflammatory response. In addition, the effect of AE was superior to that of single compound AA.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.486-493
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The honeysuckle berry (HB) contains ascorbic acid and phenolic components, especially anthocyanins, flavonoids, and low-molecular-weight phenolic acids. In order to examine the potential of HB as a hepatoprotective medicinal food, we evaluated the in vitro anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Korean HB (HBK) and Chinese HB (HBC). MATERIALS/METHODS: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts were examined in HepG2 and RAW 264.7 cells, respectively. The anti-oxidant capacity was determined by DPPH, SOD, CAT, and ARE luciferase activities. The production of nitric oxide (NO) as an inflammatory marker was also evaluated. The Nrf2-mediated mRNA levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (Nqo1), and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (Gclc) were measured. The concentrations of HB extracts used were 3, 10, 30, 100, and $300{\mu}g/mL$. RESULTS: The radical scavenging activity of all HB extracts increased in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). SOD (P < 0.05) and CAT (P < 0.01) activities were increased by treatment with $300{\mu}g/mL$ of each HB extract, when compared to those in the control. NO production was observed in cells pretreated with 100 or $300{\mu}g/mL$ of HBC and HBK (P < 0.01). Treatment with $300{\mu}g/mL$ of HBC significantly increased Nqo1 (P < 0.01) and Gclc (P < 0.05) mRNA levels compared to those in the control. Treatment with $300{\mu}g/mL$ of HBK (P < 0.05) and HBC (P < 0.01) also significantly increased the HO-1 mRNA level compared to that in the control. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the Korean and Chinese HBs were found to possess favorable in vitro anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Nrf2 and its related anti-oxidant genes were associated with both anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in HB-treated cells. Further studies are needed to confirm these in vivo effects.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2018

Objectives : The current study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of youngyanggak-san (YGS) on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced acute liver injury in rats. Methods : YGS is composed of Glycyrrhizae Radix, Asiasari Radix, Cimicifugae Rhizoma, Saigae Tataricae Cornu. While N-YGS (non-youngyanggak-san) doesn't include Saigae Tataricae Cornu. Two samples were administrated TAA together for 3 days. Thirty-six rats were divided into four groups. Rats except for the normal group were received TAA (200 mg/kg of body weight, I.P) were divided into three groups (n=9/group) : Group 1 (TAA only), Group 2 (TAA + 200 mg/kg YGS) and Group 3 (TAA + 200 mg/kg N-YGS). Acute liver damage confirmed using histological examination, The factors associated with oxidative stress and liver function activity measured in serum. Also, expressions of inflammation related proteins were investigated by western blot analysis. Results : Oxidative stress factors such as ROS and $ONOO^-$ in the Group 2 was manifested by a significant rise compared with Group 1. YGS markedly decreased the elevated ROS and $ONOO^-$. Furthermore, YGS significantly reduced the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) The nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) activation induced by TAA led to increase both inflammatory mediators and cytokines. While YGS administration remarkably suppressed such the overexpression. In addition, the histopathological analysis showed that the liver tissue lesions were improved obviously in YGS treatment. Conclusion : YGS provided a hepatoprotective effect on acute liver damage through the suppression of oxidative stress. Especially, this effect enhanced markedly when Saigae Tataricae Cornu is included.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2007

In order to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of an herb distillate, ie., a mixture of 28 traditional Korean herbs, germanium, tormarine and Gijangsoo (Gijang water), $CCl_4$ was intraperitoneally administered to rats before or after supplementation of the diluted herb distillate (HD) for 2 weeks. Then hepatic xanthine oxidase activity and serum lipid profiles were determined. The experimental groups had higher feed intake than the normal control (NC), but had lower weight gain. Water intake and the amount of feces were not significantly different, but urine was excreted in lower amounts in all the experimental groups compared to the NC. Liver weights in the HD-supplemented groups were lower than that of the distilled water-supplemented groups (DW-groups) after $CCl_4$-administration. Serum ALT activities in all the experimental groups were higher than that of the NC-group. However, the increasing activity of serum ALT in the HD-supplemented groups (HD-groups) was lower than that of the DW-groups. Total serum and LDL-cholesterol levels were higher in all the $CCl_4$-administered groups than in the NC-groups, and serum HDL-cholesterol levels were lower in all the experimental groups compared with the NC-groups. Meanwhile, the increasing rate of total serum and LDL-cholesterol levels and the decreasing rate of HDL-cholesterol in the HD-groups were lower than that of the DW-groups. But, levels of serum TG were similar among all the experimental groups. The activities of hepatic xanthine oxidase (XOD) type O of the $CCl_4$-administered rats showed a significant increase in and an increasing rate of XOD in the HD-groups, which was lower than that of the DW-groups. On the other hand, GST activities in all the experimental groups were significantly decreased, and the decreasing rate was lower in the HD-groups than in the DW-groups. The hepatic contents of GSH and LPO in all the rats were not changed by $CCl_4$ administration. These results suggest that the decreased liver damage in the HD-supplemented groups was due to the inhibition of XOD-type O activity by constituents of HD, as well as by a prevention/inhibition of serum lipid profile changes in $CCl_4$-treated rats. However, further detailed studies are needed to support this hypothesis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.706-711
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• 2009

Hepatoprotective effects of corn gluten hydrolysates (CGH) were investigated in rats orally treated with ethanol (30%(v/v), 3 g/kg body weight/day) for 4 weeks. Six-week old Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into four dietary groups: normal diet (N), alcohol diet (E), E+CGH 1% diet (CGH-1%), and E+CGH 3% diet (CGH-3%). Body weights and liver indices were not significantly different among the four groups. However, food intakes were lower in the CGH groups than in the normal group (p<0.05). The administration of CGH significantly reduced serum alkaline phosphatase activity by 30% compared to the alcohol diet group. Among the antioxidative enzymes assessed, catalase activity was significantly decreased by 79% in the CGH diet groups compared to the alcohol diet group. In comparison to the alcohol-treated group, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity was increased by 20%, while microsomal ethanol oxidizing system activity was decreased by 20% in the CGH-treated groups. Furthermore, the area under the curve of the blood acetaldehyde concentration versus time profile after the administration of ethanol was significantly lower for the CGH rats than for the ethanol or asparaginic acid treated groups. Thus, CGH seems to offer beneficial effects by protecting against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity by improving the acetaldehyde-related metabolizing system.