• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2023

Red yeast rice, also known as Hong Qu and red Koji, has been used for a long time in Asian functional food and traditional medicine. It consists of multiple bioactive substances, which can potentially be used as nutraceuticals. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) can range from simple steatosis or inflammation to fibrosis and cirrhosis, possibly through leaky gut and systemic endotoxemia. This study examined the liver and gut effects of red yeast rice (RYR) (Monascus purpureus) ethanol extract against binge ethanol-induced liver injury in mice. RYR extract was orally administered to C57BL/6N mice at a concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight per day for 10 days. Then, mice were administered binge alcohol (5 g/kg/dose) three times at 12 hr intervals. Binge alcohol exposure significantly elevated the endotoxin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) activity of plasma, as well as hepatic triglyceride levels; however, RYR treatments reduced these levels. In addition, RYR pretreatment significantly reduced the alcohol-induced oxidative maker protein and apoptosis maker in binge alcohol-induced gut and liver injuries. These results suggest that RYR may prevent alcohol-induced acute leaky gut and liver damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2022

Recently, many hangover cure products containing natural ingredients have been made available in the market that are effective for alcohol-related liver damage or for improved liver function. However, the cure for of liver damage or medication for improved liver function are different from hangover cure. Therefore, the efficacy hangover cure products needs to be verified. In this study, we investigated and compared the ameliorating effect of four commercially available hangover cure products on acute ethanol-induced hangover in Sprague - Dawley rats. The four samples were labeled as C, M, R, and S. The efficacy of the samples was evaluated based on the serum concentration and area under the curve (AUC) of blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations to quantitatively assess the hangover cure effect. Ethanol administration to the rats significantly raised the serum alcohol and acetaldehyde levels. The Cmax reduction rates of ethanol for the samples C, M, R, and S were 5.9%, 3.1%, 8.4%, and 11.7%, and the AUC were 8.9%, 2.2%, 12.1%, and 19.6%, respectively, whereas the Cmax reduction rates of acetaldehyde were 14.2%, 15.2%, 28.2%, and 35.0%, and the AUC were 21.6%, 7.5%, 22.4%, and 29.9%, respectively. In conclusion, all samples showed a tendency to relieve hangover in the order of S, R, C, and M in terms of the ethanol concentration, but only sample S showed a statistically significant decrease in both Cmax and AUC for ethanol and acetaldehyde. These results suggest that an objective method for verifying the efficacy of hangover cure products is lacking.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.343-349
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• 2010

The liver is the major target of ethanol toxicity and oxidative stress plays a role in development of alcoholic liver disease. This study was performed to investigate the effects of green tea extracts (GTE) on acute ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Experimental animals were divided into 4 groups, control, GTE, ethanol, and GTE+ethanol treatment, with 5 rats in each group. Ethanol (6 g/kg body weight (BW)) and GTE (200 mg/kg BW) were treated by gavage. At 1 hour, 3 hours and 20 days (6 g/kg BW every 2 days for total 10 doses) after ethanol and/or GTE treatments, animals were killed; hepatic tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) and glutathione level, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hepatic antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) activities and hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured. At 1 hour and 3 hours, hepatic TNF-$\alpha$ levels were increased significantly in ethanol group and ethanol+GTE group but that levels was significantly lower in ethanol+GTE group compared with ethanol group. Hepatic glutathione level was decreased by ethanol treatment but GTE prevented the ethanol-induced glutathione decrement. The levels of liver marker enzymes (AST, ALT), liver antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) and lipid peroxidation marker (TBARS) were not changed in rats of 1 and 3 hours after ethanol treatment. After 20 days, GTE decreased the changes of liver marker enzymes (AST, ALT) activities and TBARS level by ethanol. This study shows that GTE beneficially modulates TNF-$\alpha$ and glutathione levels in liver of ethanol administered rats. The GTE supplementation could be beneficial to liver by decreasing early changes of biomarkers of liver damage caused by ethanol.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-82
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• 2012

Stamens of Mesua ferrea L. are a well-known herbal drug used in Indian System of Traditional Medicine to treat various diseases. The claimed activity of this plant part is necessitated to investigate antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity. Authenticated plant sample was extracted with hexane, ethanol (EtOH) and water (aq.) using ASE 100 accelerated solvent extractor. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by means of different in vitro assays. Hepatoprotective effect was investigated on carbon tetrachloride induced oxidative stress in liver slice culture model. Cytotoxic marker lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released in culture medium and the activity of lipid peroxidation along with antioxidant enzymes (AOEs) namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) were estimated. Hexane and EtOH extracts were significantly inhibited DPPH, NO, SOD and $ABTS^+$ radical in dose dependent manner. The trade of phenol content was: aq. extract < hexane extract < EtOH extract. A significant correlation was shown by total phenol content and free radical scavenging activity of extracts. The culture system treated with hexane extract, EtOH extract or ascorbic acid exhibited significant depletion in LDH, lipid peroxidation, antioxidative enzymes SOD, CAT and GR. Hexane extract and EtOH extracts of stamen of M. ferrea protected liver slice culture cells by alleviating oxidative stress induced damage to liver cells.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2021

We have previously reported that Acer tegmentosum extract, which is traditionally used in Korea to reduce alcohol-related liver injury, suppresses liver inflammation caused by excessive alcohol consumption and might improve metabolism. The active ingredient, 6-O-galloylsalidroside (GAL), was isolated from A. tegmentosum, and we hypothesized that GAL could provide desirable pharmacological benefits by ameliorating physiological conditions caused by alcohol abuse. Therefore, this study focused on whether GAL could ameliorate alcoholic fat accumulation and repair liver injury in mice. During chronic alcohol consumption plus binge feeding in mice, GAL was administered orally once per day for 11 days. Intrahepatic lipid accumulation was measured in vivo using a noninvasive method, ¹H magnetic resonance imaging, and confirmed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin and Oil Red O. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured using a Konelab system, and the triglyceride content was measured in liver homogenates using an enzymatic peroxide assay. The results suggested that GAL alleviated alcohol-induced steatosis,e as indicated by decreased hepatic and serum triglyceride levels in ethanol-fed mice. GAL treatment also correlated with a decrease in the Cd36 mRNA expression, thus potentially inhibiting the development of alcoholic steatosis via the hepatic de novo lipogenesis pathway. Furthermore, treatment with GAL inhibited the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 and attenuated hepatocellular damage, as reflected by a reduction in ALT and AST levels. These findings suggest that GAL extracted from A. tegmentosum has the potential to serve as a bioactive agent for the treatment of alcoholic fatty liver and liver damage.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.385-394
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• 2020

Eupatilin is known to possess anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties. We report here that eupatilin has a protective effect on the ethanol-induced injury in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups: control, vehicle, silymarin, eupatilin 10 mg/kg, eupatilin 30 mg/kg, and eupatilin 100 mg/kg. Plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were analyzed to determine the extent of liver damage. Total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were analyzed to determine the level of liver steatosis. Malondialdehyde level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and glutathione (GSH) level were analyzed to determine the extent of oxidative stress. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β were quantified to verify the degree of inflammation. Based on our findings, chronic alcohol treatment significantly changed the serum indexes and liver indicators of the model rats, which were significantly improved by eupatilin treatment. Rats in the eupatilin-treatment group showed reduced levels of AST, ALT, TG, TC, TNF-α, and IL-1β, increased SOD activity and GSH levels, and improved overall physiology compared to the alcoholic liver disease model rats. H&E staining also verified the eupatilin-mediated improvement in liver injury. In conclusion, eupatilin inhibits alcohol-induced liver injury via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.833-837
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• 2006

To determine whether alcohol-treated rat liver cells can be protected by a static magnetic field (SMF), we analyzed the blood chemistry and histology of hepatic tissue removed from alcohol-exposed rats that had been exposed to a static magnetic field. The rats were exposed to a 0.3 tesla (3,000 gauss) magnetic field (MF) for 24 hr daily for 5 weeks with appropriate controls. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity and the triglyceride levels in animals exposed to the north (N) or south (S) pole of the MF decreased significantly (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively) compared with negative control animals with alcohol exposure. A histological examination of hepatic tissue revealed a moderate to severe accumulation of fat vacuoles of various sizes in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes of animals in the negative control group throughout the study; whereas in groups exposed to the MF poles, fewer fat vacuoles were seen compared with the negative control group. Electron microscopic observations showed that exposure to the N or S pole protected organelles, including the nucleus, from damage during exposure to this toxic agent, as indicated by the fact that the nucleus and the mithochondria virtually retained their shape throughout this study. These results suggest that exposure to a SMF could be an excellent way of protecting against alcohol-induced damage to the rat liver cell.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.215-223
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• 2020

Sasa (S.) quelpaertensis Nakai (Korean name, Jeju-Joritdae), which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities, is a type of bamboo grass distributed widely in Jeju Island, Korea. S. quelpaertensis leaves are used for therapeutic purposes in traditional Korean medicine. This study examined the hepatoprotective effects of the S. quelpaertensis ethyl acetate fraction (SQEA) in a mouse model to mimic alcoholic liver damage. The mice were administered orally with 30% alcohol (5 g/kg) once per day with or without SQEA treatments (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 14 days consecutively. Alcohol consumption increased the serum alcohol content and histopathological changes but reduced the liver weight. Moreover, the livers of the alcohol group exhibited the accumulation of malondialdehyde and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), and lipid droplet coating protein perilipin-2. On the other hand, SQEA dose-dependently attenuated the alcohol-induced serum ethanol content and liver histopathological changes but increased the liver weight. Moreover, SQEA attenuated the level of CYP2E1 and inhibited alcohol-induced lipogenesis in the liver via decreased perilipin-2 expression. These results suggest that SQEA can provide a potent way to reduce the liver damage caused by alcohol consumption.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.296-305
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• 1998

A study was performed to evaluate an effect of toluene or ethanol pretreatment on the toluene metabolism. A slight liver damage in rats was induced by administration of 0.2 ml of toluene or 0.2 ml of 50% ethanol per 100 g of body weight intraperitoneally every other day for four weeks except the last day before sacrifice. One day before sacrifice, toluene was administered to rats pretreated ethanol or toluene and the control. Rats were sacrificed at the 1st, the 2nd, the 3rd and the 4th week after the first administration of xenobiotics mentioned above. Based on the histopathological findings, liver weight per body weight, serum alanine aminotransferase and hepatic glutathione content, toluene- or ethanol-pretreated groups showed the reversible liver injury. By the treatment of one dose of toluene, the contents of hippuric acid in urine was higher in the group pretreated with toluene or ethanol than control. The contents of cytochrome P-450, benzylalcohol dehydrogenase and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase activities were generally more increased in toluene- or ethanol-pretreated rats than control. $K_m$ values of the benzylalcohol dehydrogenase in pooled liver samples from toluene- and ethanol-pretreated groups were similar each other. $V_{max}$ values of toluene- or ethanol-pretreated group was higher than control. In conclusion, the toluene metabolism is accelerated in rats pretreated with toluene or ethanol.