• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.52-60
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• 2005

The objectives of present study were to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidative effects of onion extracts. Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were incubated with 1.5 mM tert-butyl hydroperoxide(t-BHP), potent oxidizing agent for liver injury for 1 hr in the presence or absence of various concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 or 0.3 mg/ml) of onion extract. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were determined by measuring glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT) activity, lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) activity and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide(MTT) value. Lipid peroxidation was evaluated using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) assay. Effects on antioxidant system were determined by measuring catalase, glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), glutathione reductase(GSH-Rd) activities as well as DNA strand breaking assay. Incubation with t-BHP alone increased GOT and LDH activities and TBARS concentration but decreased MTT reduction. Onion extracts at the concentration of 0.05 mg/ml began to decrease GOT and LDH activities induced by 1.5 mM t-BHP. Decreased MTT reduction began to be increased by onion extract at the concentration of 0.01 mg/ml. Onion extracts at the concentration of 0.01 mg/ml began to decrease TBARS concentration induced by t-BHP. Taken together, onion extracts prevented t-BHP-induced hepatocyte injury and lipid peroxidation. Catalase, GSH-Px and GSH-Rd activities of hepatocytes were significantly decreased by 1.5 mM t-BHP for 1 hr incubation. Onion extracts, on the other hand, at the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml began to prevent t-BHP-induced decrease in catalase, GSH-Px and GSH-Rd activities. Onion extracts prevented hydroxyl radical-induced single-strand breakage in dose-dependent manner when plasmid DNA was incubated with various concentrations of onion extracts in the presence of Fenton regents producing hydroxyl radical. These results demonstrate that onion extracts suppressed t-BHP-induced cytoctoxicity, decreased viability and lipid peroxidation and increased GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and catalase activities. Thus hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of onion extract seem to be due to, at least in part, the increase in antioxidant enzyme activities as well as prevention from hydroxyl radical-induced oxidation, followed by inhibition in lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.659-670
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• 2017

Oxidative stress and inflammation are key factors responsible for progression of liver injury. A variety of functions of oyster hydrolysate (OH) are affected by their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, little is known regarding the effects of OH on a liver injury model. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of OH on acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN) in mice. Experimental groups were divided into six groups as follows (each group, n=10): control (saline), LPS/D-GalN, LPS/D-GalN+OH (100 mg/kg), LPS/D-GalN+OH (200 mg/kg), LPS/D-GalN+OH (400 mg/kg), and LPS/D-GalN+silymarin (25 mg/kg, positive control). The experimental acute liver injury model was induced with LPS ($1{\mu}g/kg$) and D-GalN (400 mg/kg). We first analyzed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in OH. OH showed high DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and reduced ROS generation in Chang cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, OH showed anti-inflammatory activities, such as inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-lipooxygenase. Treatment with OH down-regulated tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, and $IL-1{\alpha}$ expression levels in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. OH significantly reduced LPS/D-GalN-induced increases in the concentrations of alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase in serum. In the LPS/D-GalN group, liver tissues exhibited apoptosis of hepatocytes with hemorrhages. These pathological alterations were ameliorated by OH treatment. Consistently, hepatic catalase activity was low in the LPS/D-GalN group compared to the control group, and catalase activity was significantly restored by OH treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, OH markedly reduced the LPS/D-GalN-induced increase in $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 levels in liver tissue. Taken together, these results show that OH has hepatoprotective effects on LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver injury via inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting that OH could be used as a health functional food and potential therapeutic agent for acute liver injury.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.216-224
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• 2018

To evaluate physiological effect of Aralia elata, in vitro antioxidant activity and hepatic protective effects were investigated. Ethyl acetate fraction from Aralia elata (EFAE) had higher total phenolic content than other fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, and distilled water layers). EFAE also showed significantly greater radical scavenging activity against 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), than other fractions. Moreover, EFAE showed dose-dependent inhibitory effect of malondialdehyde (MDA). Hepatoprotective effects of EFAE against ethanol- and $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in H4IIE and HepG2 hepatic cells were examined using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) and 3-[4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results showed that EFAE reduced cellular oxidative stress, and increased hepatic cell viability. In addition, EFAE inhibited ethanol-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Finally, physiological substances of EFAE were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the major bioactive compounds identified were 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and chlorogenic acid.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.1099-1106
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• 2011

Cucumber fermentation has been used as a means of preservation. This study was performed to investigate the effects of fermented cucumber beverage (CF) containing beneficial materials for an ethanol hangover based on Hovenia dulcis (SKM) on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: ethanol control, ethanol plus SKM, and ethanol plus CF+SKM. SKM or CF+SKM was orally administered at a dose of 7 mL/kg body weight once per day for 5 weeks. Control rats were given an equal amount of water. CF+SKM significantly lowered plasma ethanol levels, whereas SKM tended to decrease the levels compared to the control. Both SKM and CF+SKM significantly lowered the plasma acetaldehyde levels and serum transaminase activities compared to those in the control. SKM and CF+SKM did not affect hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase activity; however, it significantly inhibited cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) activity. Hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity was significantly higher in the SKM and CF+SKM groups than that in the control group. Plasma acetaldehyde concentration was significantly correlated with hepatic CYP2E1 (r=0.566, p<0.01) activity and ALDH (r=-0.564, p<0.01) activity. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase activities as well as glutathione content increased with the SKM and CF+SKM administration, whereas lipid peroxide content decreased significantly. Furthermore, SKM and CF+SKM lowered plasma and hepatic lipid content and lipid droplets compared to those in the control group. These results indicate that SKM and CF+SKM exhibit hepatoprotective properties partly by inhibiting CYP2E1 activity, enhancing ALDH activity and stimulating the antioxidant defense systems in ethanol-treated rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1391-1397
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• 2016

We investigated the hepatoprotective effects of Angelica keiskei Koidzumi extract (AK) in HepG2-overexpressing cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) and C57BL/6J mice. In HepG2 cells expressing CYP2E1, cell viability and catalase activity in the ethanol-AK co-treated group significantly increased compared to those in the ethanol-treated group. In the in vivo study with C57BL/6J mice, the AK-supplemented group with ethanol liquid diet showed significantly reduced hepatic markers, including serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transferase, compared to the ethanol group without AK supplementation. AK supplementation (20 mg/kg BW/d) also significantly attenuated reactive oxygen species generation and malondialdehyde level. Notably, a low dose of AK supplementation (20 mg/kg BW/d) suppressed expression of hepatic CYP2E1 and inhibited CYP2E1 enzyme activity. These data indicate that a low dose of AK supplementation could restrain alcohol-induced hepatic damage mediated by CYP2E1.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2011

Although the vegetable Angelica keiskei (AK) has widely been utilized for the purpose of general health improvement among Korean population, its functionalities are not very well defined. In this study, we examined the effects of methanol extract of AK in rats on the biochemical changes induced by two hepatotoxins, D-galactosamine (GalN) and carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$). AK was orally administered once daily for 7 days to male rats at 200 and 500 mg/kg, before hepatotoxins. Effects of AK were assessed 24 hr later. AK pretreatments at 200 and 500 mg/kg significantly blunted GalN-induced elevation in liver lipid peroxidation, plasma aspartate-transaminase (AST) and alanine-transaminase (ALT) activities. AK also prevented, after 500 mg/kg but not after 200 mg/kg, the GalN-induced elevation in triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. Differently from against GalN-induced toxicity, AK did further elevate the $CCl_4$-induced rise in AST, ALT and lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that AK, when pre-administered prior to GalN, exerted protective effects against GalN-induced hepatotoxicity, in contrast however, AK exacerbated that induced by $CCl_4$. To explore possible mechanism for the toxicity-potentiating effects of AK on $CCl_4$, the activity of hepatic drug metabolism after AK treatment was assessed. It was observed that AK increased the activity of aniline hydroxaylase, a cytochrome P450 isoenzyme responsible for metabolic activation of $CCl_4$. This finding suggests that hepatoprotective effects of AK are not equally expected depending on hepatotoxins employed.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.669-676
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• 2004

Functional characteristics of citrus products fermented with lactic acid bacterium and yeast were investigated. Flavonoid composition of fermented citrus extracts increased significantly compared to control, leading to increases of naringenin and hesperetin concentrations. All citrus extracts showed anti-apoptotic effects in HepG2 cells regardless of fermentation, with citrus-fermented products showing greater anti-apoptotic effect and intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species content reduction compared to native citrus extracts. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally dosed with native or fermented citrus extracts. Singnificantly higher body weight reductions were observed in higher fermented citrus-dosed (100 mg/kg body weight) group compared to the other groups. Plasma total cholesterol level was slightly, but not significantly, reduced. Fatty liver formation induced by high-fat diet was significantly suppressed in rats administered with fermented citrus extracts. Results suggest fermented citrus extracts have potent anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative activities in vitro, and inhibitory activity against fatty liver formation by high-fat diet in vivo.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.298-300
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• 2007

This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of an ethanol extract of Petasites japonicus S. et. Z. Max. (PJ) on alcohol-induced liver-damaged rats. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $100{\sim}150\;g$ were divided into 5 groups; normal diet group (NOR), alcohol (35%, 10 mL/kg/day) treated group (CON), PJ 200 mg/kg/day treated group (PJ1), PJ 200 mg/kg/day and alcohol treated group (PJ2), and PJ 400 mg/kg/day and alcohol treated group (PJ3). The growth rate of the control group was higher than that of normal group, whereas the group administered PJ concomitantly was significantly increased. Also, feed efficiency ratio decreased by alcohol administration was gradually increased to the adjacent level of the normal group by administering PJ. The AST activity in serum elevated by alcohol was significantly decreased by administering the high dosage of PJ, but exerted no significant change on serum ALT activity. It was also observed that the hepatic activities of catalase and GSH-Px increased by alcohol were markedly decreased in PJ2 and PJ3, but not in the activities of XO and SOD as compared with the control group. The depleted content of GSH by alcohol was increased to the level of normal group by administering PJ in a dose-dependant manner. In conclusion, these results suggest that PJ may have a possible protective effect on liver function in hepatotoxicity-induced rat by alcohol administration.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2012

Objective : Myeongganbo (MGB) composited with Hovenia Semen, Puerariae Radix and Dioscoreae Rhizoma is the prescription for protection of liver function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of MGB extract against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in mice. Methods : MGB extract was prepared by extracting with hot distilled water. The extract was freeze-dried following filtration through vacuum distillation system. Mice fasted for overnight were orally administrated with or without MGB extract of different doses (25-200 mg/kg/day). After 30 min, APAP was orally applied with a single dose (400 mg/kg). The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured in plasmas of mice. Glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase GSH-px), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) level were investigated in liver homogenates. Liver sections were stained with haematoxylin & eosin, anti-TNF-${\alpha}$ and anti-mouse COX-2 antibodies. Results : APAP treatment remarkably increased AST and ALT activities in plasma but inhibited GSH and GSH-px levels in liver homogenates. Also, liver injury was significantly accelerated by APAP treatment. Furthermore, APAP remarkably elevated COX-2 activity and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels in liver homogenates. However, administration of MGB extract was able to counteract these effects. Histological studies provided supportive evidence for biochemical and molecular analysis Conclusions : These results suggest that MGB extract has potent hepatoprotective effect against APAP-induced liver injury, these properties may contribute to liver disease care.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.275-285
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• 2010

This study was designed to evaluated the nitrite scavenging activity and protective effect of the Puerariae Radix and green tea extract on lead acetate and cadmium-induced liver damage in mice. The quantitative analytical method for major antioxidants, isoflavones, puerarin, catechine and caffeine in galgun (Puerariae Radix) and green tera extract were established by HPLC. Contents of isoflavones, such as daidzin, genistin, daidzein and genistein were 4.23g/100g, 0.13g/100g, 0.07g/100g, and 0.03g/100g, and puerarin contents was 8.99g/100g, respectively. The total catechins and caffeine contents of green tea extract were 49.24g/100g and 6.53g/100g. The nitrite scavenging ability of galgun extract (pH 1.2, 100mg/ml) was 98.07% and it was higher than those of other extracts. It was the highest at the pH 1.2 and more than 64% in 25~100mg green tea extract, and was dependents on pH and concentration of the samples. The hepatoprotective effects of an aqueous extract from the root of gal gun and standard puerarin were evaluated against lead acetate and cadmium-induced liver damage in mice. Galgun extract and standard at a dose of 100mg/kg and 10mg/kg, 50mg/kg were administered orally once daily for successive 5 days and then a lead acetate and cadmium were orally at 3 hrs after the every day administration of galgun. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase were due to lead acetate and cadmium treatment was dose dependently restored to the near normal level. In addition, galgun extract also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic malon-dialdehyde formation in the liver of lead acetate and cadmium intoxicated mice in a dose-dependent manner. The results of this study clearly indicated that green tea and galgun extracts had nitrite scavenging ability and galgun extract had potent hepato-protective effects against lead acetate and cadmium-induced hepatic damage in mice and standard puerarin was also showed similar to the results of the galgun extracts.