• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.66-72
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• 2021

We investigated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of extracts from the Undaria pinnatifida and Costaria costata against ethanol-induced oxidative damage. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were highest in the 70% ethanol extract from Undaria pinnatifida and Costaria costata. Also, the radical scavenging activity of DPPH (IC₅₀ 0.33± 0.21, 0.48±0.47 mg/ml) and ABTS (IC₅₀ 0.34±0.30, 0.47±0.17 mg/ml) in the 70% ethanol extract was higher than that of the hot water and 10% ethanol extracts. To determine the hepatoprotective effects of extracts in ethanol-induced oxidative damage, cell viability was measured using an MTT assay. In the pre-treatment of Undaria pinnatifida and Costaria costata hot water extracts, the concentration-dependent increased the cell viability compared with the ethanol treated cells (73.95%) by 89.91~97.63% and 84.99~90.54%, respectively. The data suggests that 70% ethanol extracts have antioxidant activity and hot water extracts exhibit hepatoprotective effects. Therefore, Undaria pinnatifida and Costaria costata may be considered potential agents for control ethanol-induced liver damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.348-354
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• 2022

The leaves, stems, seeds, and roots of Dendropanax morbifera have been used since ancient times as folk medicines for the treatment of headaches, skin diseases, infectious diseases, and other ailments. This study investigated the antioxidant, alcohol metabolism, and hepatoprotective effects of D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts. The total polyphenol content of the D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts was 49.56 mg tannic acid equivalent (TAE)/g, and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts was 84.09% at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. The effects of D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts on alcohol metabolism were determined by measuring the generation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). The ADH and ALDH activities of D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts were increased in a dose-dependent manner at 37.68% and 41.67%, respectively, at a 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. The D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts showed significant protective effects against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells at 50 ㎍/ml. Based on our results, we concluded that D. morbifera leaf and stem water extracts may be used as major pharmacological agents, such as antioxidants, alcohol metabolism, and anti-hepatitis remedies.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.479-491
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• 2006

Heme oxygenase (HO), the rate limiting enzyme in the breakdown of heme into carbon monoxide (CO), iron and bilirubin, has recently received overwhelming research attention. To date three mammalian HO isozymes have been identified, and the only inducible form is HO-1 while HO-2 and HO-3 are constitutively expressed. Advances in unveiling signal transduction network indicate that a battery of redox-sensitive transcription factors, such as activator protein-1 (AP-1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) and nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), and their upstream kinases including mitogen-activated protein kinases play an important regulatory role in HO-1 gene induction. The products of the HO-catalyzed reaction, particularly CO and biliverdin/bilirubin have been shown to exert protective effects in several organs against oxidative and other noxious stimuli. In this context, it is interesting to note that induction of HO-1 expression contributes to protection against liver damage induced by several chemical compounds such as acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride and heavy metals, suggesting HO-1 induction as an important cellular endeavor for hepatoprotection. The focus of this review is on the significance of targeted induction of HO-1 as a potential therapeutic strategy to protect against chemically-induced liver injury as well as hepatocarcinogenesis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.510-517
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of eriodictyol compound against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by measuring expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, liver function index enzyme activities, and inhibitory effects against reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. HepG2 cell viability was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. In the concentration range of $10{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$, eriodictyol displayed over 98% cell viability in HepG2 cells. The effects of increased gene expression on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress were analyzed by monitoring antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione peroxidase, GPx) gene expression levels using real-time PCR. Eriodictyol compound significantly increased gene expression levels of SOD, CAT, and GPx in a dose-dependent manner ($10{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$). Hepatoprotective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress were analyzed by monitoring glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities in HepG2 cell culture medium using a biochemistry analyzer. Eriodictyol compound significantly reduced GOT, LDH, and GGT activities in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. ROS level in HepG2 cells was analyzed by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence diacetate assay, and eriodictyol compound effectively reduced the intracellular ROS level in HepG2 cells. The results reveal that eriodictyol compound can be useful for development of effective antioxidant and hepatoprotective agents.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 2007

Free radicals are known to play important role in pathophysiology of hepatic disorders and antioxidants are employed along with other chemotherapeutic agents in treatment of such diseases. In search of natural antioxidant, successive extracts of Hypericum (H.) hookerianum (Family: Hypericaceae) were evaluated by in vitro and in vivo methods. Extracts of aerial parts of H. hookerianum were subjected for 1,1-diphenyl 2-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay), nitric oxide radicals scavenging assay and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. Methanolic extract was found to be more active than other extracts in DPPH and in vitro TBARS assay with $IC_{50}$ at 5.82 ${\pm}$ 1.33 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 49.78 ${\pm}$ 3.79 ${\mu}g/ml$ respectively. While petroleum ether extract showed more potentials in scavenging the nitric oxide radicals with $IC_{50}$ 220.97 ${\pm}$ 2.69 ${\mu}g/ml$. The administration of $CCl_{4}$ to the control animals caused decrease in the level of catalase and superoxide dismutase, together with significant increase in the level of TBARS in liver and kidney. Reversal of these changes towards normal group was observed by administration of H. hookerianum methanolic extract at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight, while other extracts were found to be less active.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.22-38
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• 1998

This study was to investigate the hepatoprotective and anticirrhotic effects of Ganyeumilhobang(GIE) on the acute and chronic liver injury induced by various agents. Chronic liver injury induced by dimethylnitrosamine(DMN) ; a new experimental model for cirrhosis and the intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine in the rat. Acute liver njury induced by carbon tetrachloride$(CCl_4)$ and D-galactosamine ; a experimental model for acute liver injury, the administration of $CCl_4$ and the intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine in the rat. The development of fibrosis and acute liver injury by the three prescriptions were examined by the chemical analysis of AST, ALT, prothrombin time and hydroxyproline. The results obtained were as follows. 1. The increasing level of hydroxyproline volume induced by DMN in mice was decreased by the oral administration of GIB. 2. The degree of histological fibrosis and hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration induced by $CCl_4$ decreased by the oral administration of GIB. 3. The increase of senun AST and ALT of mice with acute liver damage induced by $CCl_4$ and D-galactosamine was inhibited by the administration of GIB. 4. The prolongation of prothrombin time(seconds) of mice acute liver damage induced by $CCl_4$ was shortened by the oral administration of GIB. 5. The liver of mice was hepatectomized partial1y after the oral administration of GIB. The mitotic index(% of nuclei), weight of liver, contents of protein, RNA and DNA synthesis of the liver tissue were increased by the oral administration of GIB.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2006

Aucuba japonica has variable pharmacological effects such as hepatoprotective, choleretic, hemodynamic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Aucuba japonica extract on oral wound healing. Aucubin was extracted from Aucuba japonica, and injected on either side of buccal mucosa of male mice. Artificial full thickness wounds were made on the site with 1.5 mm biopsy punch under sterile technique. The specimens had taken on day 1, 3, and 5 with 4 mm biopsy punch. Light microscopic examination and quantitative histologic analysis were performed for reepithelization, inflammatory cell infiltration. Reepithelization of the aucubin (0.1%) group was earlier than the control group. And the number of inflammatory cells of the aucubin group was lesser than the control group. In view of the results so far achieved, the aucubin extracted from Aucuba japonica may be useful for oral wound healing and it can be applied as a topical agent on the oral wound. Further research should be performed on the mechanism of aucubin on oral wound healing and proper formulation for effective topical agents.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.249-257
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• 2018

Objectives: The hepatotoxicity induced by Acetaminophen (AAP) mostly mediated by effect on oxidative stress parameters. The Zataria multiflora (Z.M) is an herbal medicine with well-known antioxidant effect. The aim of this study is investigation of preventive effects of Z.M and Carvacrol (CAR) on AAP-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups including: 1) Control, 2) Acetaminophen (AAP), 3) and 4) CAR. The saline, Z.M (200 mg/kg) and CAR (20 mg/kg) were administrated orally for 6 days, after that AAP (600 mg/kg) was administrated in the $7^{th}$ day. Blood sampling was performed on the first and last days. Also, the liver tissue was removed for evaluation of Malondyaldehide (MDA), Thiol content, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT). Total Protein (tPro), Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT), Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in liver tissue were evaluated. The changes (${\Delta}$) of enzymes activities were presented. Results: The ${\Delta}GOT$, ${\Delta}GPT$ and ${\Delta}ALP$ in CAR group significantly decreased compared to AAP group (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001) and ${\Delta}GPT$ in Z.M group was significantly reduced in comparison with AAP group (P < 0.05). Also, MDA, Thiol, SOD and CAT levels in treated groups were attenuated compared to AAP group (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Conclusion: Z.M and CAR have a powerful hepatoprotective effect. CAR is more effective than Z.M. Based on the results. Z.M and CAR could be potent supplementary agents against hepatotoxicity of AAP in patients.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.133-145
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• 2014

Objective : In this study, the addition of dried pomegranate concentrate powder (PCP) was affected the anti-climacterium activity of red clover dry extracts (RC) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Materials and methods : After bilateral OVX surgery, RC 40 mg/kg, PCP 20 mg/kg and RC:PCP 2:1 mixture (g/g) 120, 60 and 30 mg/kg (of body weight) were orally administered, once a day for 84 days, and then the changes on the serum estradiol levels, abdominal fat pad and uterus weights were observed for estrogenic effects. In addition, liver weights, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were also evaluated for hepatoprotective effects, and serum total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride (TG) levels were monitored for hypolipidemic effects. Results : As a result of OVX, the estrogen-deficient climacterium symptoms, increments of abdominal fat pad weights, serum AST, ALT, TC, LDL and TG levels with decrease of uterus and liver weights, serum estradiol levels, were demonstrated. However, these estrogen-deficient climacterium symptoms induced by bilateral OVX in rats were significantly inhibited by continuous oral treatment of RC 40 mg/kg, PCP 20 mg/kg and RC:PCP 2:1 mixture (g/g) 120, 60 and 30 mg/kg, respectively. Conclusion : The results suggested that RC:PCP 2:1 mixtures synergistically increased the anti-climacterium effects of RC in OVX rats. It, therefore, is expected that RC:PCP 2:1 mixture will be promising as a new potent protective agents for relieving the climacterium symptoms.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09b
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• pp.108-109
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• 2003

Ursolic acid (UA) and Oleanolic acid (ONA), known as urson, micromerol, prunol and malol, are pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds which naturally occur in a large number of vegetarian foods, medicinal herbs, and plants. They may occur in their free acid form or as aglycones for triterpenoid saponins, which are comprised of a triterpenoid aglycone, linked to one or more sugar moieties. Therefore UA and ON A are similar in pharmacological activity. Lately scientific research, which led to the identification of UA and ONA, revealed that several pharmacological effects, such as antitumor, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-hyperlipidemic could be attributed to UA and ONA. Here, we introduced the effects of UA and ONA on acute barrier disruption and normal epidermal permeability barrier function. To clarify the effects of UA and ONA on skin barrier recovery, both flank skin of 8-12 weeks hairless mice were topically treated with samples (2mg/ml) after tape stripping, then measured recovery rate using TEWL on hairless mice. The recovery rate increased in UA and ONA treated groups at 6h more than 20% compared to vehicle treated group (p <0.05). For verifying the effects of UA and ONA on normal epidermal barrier, hydration and TEWL were measured for 1 and 3 weeks after UA and ONA applications (2mg/ml per day). We also investigated the features of epidermis and dermis using electron microscopy (EM) and light microscopy (LM). Both samples increased hydration compared to Vehicle group from 1 week without TEWL alteration (p<0.005). EM examination using Ru04 and OsO4 fixation revealed that secretion and numbers of lamellar bodies and complete formation of lipid bilayers were most prominent (ONA$\geq$UA>Vehicle). LM finding showed that stratum corneum was slightly increased and especially epidermal thickening and flattening was observed (UA>ONA>Vehicle). Using Masson-trichrome and elastic fiber staining, we observed collagen thickening and elastic fiber increasing by UA and ONA treatments. In vitro results of collagen and elastin synthesis and elastase inhibitory experiments were also confirmed in vivo findings. This result suggested that the effects of UA and ONA related to not only skin barrier but also collagen and elastic fibers. Taken together, UA and ONA can be relevant candidates to improve barrier function and pertinent agents for cosmetic applications.