• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2010

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of safety on liver functions when Korean herbal medicine was taken internally. Method: 101 inpatients who took Korean herbal medicine were enrolled and liver function test (aspartic aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase) was performed on admission and 1 month later. Results: In 101 patients, alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyltranspeptidase decreased significantly compared with the value taken on admission (p<0.05) but aspartic aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase were not significantly changed (p>0.05). In the patients who took Scutellaria baicalensis (n=34), alkaline phosphatase decreased and albumin increased significantly (p<0.05). Among the patients who took Atractylodes macrocephala (n=29), alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly (p<0.05). In the patients who took Glycyrrhiza uralensis or Paeonia lactiflora, liver function parameters were not significantly changed (p>0.05). On admission 11 patients had abnormal liver function and 2 patients had liver injury while 7 patients had abnormal liver function and 2 patients showed liver injury 1 month later. Conclusions: This study suggests that prescribed Korean herbal medicine does not injure liver function.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.397-404
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• 2019

This study was carried out to investigate the heat-treated broccoli extraction which have a beneficial effect on the human body and which can be used safely for a long period of time without adverse side effects and also have excellent effects of protecting liver and improving liver function. The heat-treated broccoli extract does not show cytotoxicity, and thus can be used safely. In an experiment performed on an animal model with liver injury induced by a drug (APAP), it could be seen that the heat-treated cabbage extract exhibited the effects of protecting liver and improving liver function by effectively reducing AST and ALT which are liver injury markers, indicating that the heat-treated brocoli extract is effective as a pharmaceutical extraction for preventing or treating liver disease. In particular, the heat-treated broccoli extract was effective in treating inflammation of the liver by reducing the expression of the inflammatory mediators iNOS and COX-2 and the proinflammatory cytokine $IL-1{\beta}$, which are involved in acute inflammatory reactions accompanying liver injury.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.815-822
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• 2020

Background: Recently, beneficial roles of ginsenoside F2 (GF2), a minor constituent of Panax ginseng, have been demonstrated in diverse inflammatory diseases. However, its roles in alcoholic liver inflammation and injury have not been clearly understood. Here, we investigated the underlying mechanism by which GF2 ameliorated alcoholic liver injury. Methods: To induce alcoholic liver injury, C57BL/6J wild type (WT) or interleukin (IL)-10 knockout (KO) mice were orally administered with ethanol (3 g/kg) or ethanol-containing GF2 (50 mg/kg) for 2 wk. Liver injury and infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils were evaluated by serum biochemistry and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The changes of hepatic immune cells were assessed by flow cytometry and polymerase chain reaction analysis. In vitro differentiation of naïve T cells was performed. Results: GF2 treatment significantly attenuated alcoholic liver injury, in which infiltrations of inflammatory macrophages and neutrophils were decreased. Moreover, the frequencies of Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) increased but IL-17-producing T (Th17) cells decreased in GF2-treated mice compared to controls. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of IL-10 and Foxp3 was significantly increased, whereas IL-17 mRNA expression was suppressed in GF2-treated mice. However, these beneficial roles of GF2 were not observed in GF2-treated IL-10 KO mice, suggesting a critical role of IL-10. Similarly, GF2 treatment suppressed differentiation of naïve T cells into Th17 cells by inhibiting RORgt expression and stimulating Foxp3 expression. Conclusion: The present study suggests that GF2 treatment attenuates alcoholic liver injury by increasing IL-10 expression and Tregs and decreasing IL-17 expression and Th17 cells.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.209-218
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• 2002

Objective : This study was undertaken to examine whether Carthami Semen aquacupuncture (CSA) exerts protective effect against Hg-induced cell injury in rabbit liver. Methods : The cell injury was evaluated by ALT activity and lipid peroxidation was estimated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA). Results : Hg caused an increase of ALT activity and lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent-manner over concentrations of 0.1-1 mM, which were prevented by addition of 0.005% CSA. The protective effect of CSA was dose-dependent in concentration range of 0.001 to 0.01%. The increase of ALT activity and lipid peroxidation induced by 0.5 mM Hg were almost completely decreased by addition of 0.01% CSA. When the liver tissues were exposed to 0.5 mM Hg, GSH content was decreased, which was significantly restored by 0.01% CSA. 0.5 mM Hg caused decrease in the amount of total and nonprotein sulfhydryl groups, and 0.01% CSA prevented Hg-induced reduction of nonprotein sulfhydryl group but not protein sulfhydryl group. Conclusions : These results suggest that CSA exerts protective effect against Hg-induced cell injury by antioxidant action resulting from enhancement of nonprotein sulfhydryl group content including GSH in liver.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 2018

Purpose: We aimed to study the pattern of liver-injury in children with dengue fever (DF) and validate serum aminotransferase ${\geq}1,000IU/L$ as a marker of severe DF. Methods: Children admitted with DF were included. DF was defined by presence of clinical criteria and positive serological or antigen tests in absence of other etiology. DF severity was graded as dengue without or with warning signs and severe dengue. Liver-injury was defined as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) more than twice the upper limit of normal (boys, 30 IU/L; girls, 21 IU/L). Results: Of 372 children with DF, 144 (38.7%) had liver-injury. Risk of liver-injury and aminotransferase levels increased with DF severity (p<0.001). Recommended ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) cut-off at ${\geq}1,000IU/L$ had sensitivity 4.8% (5/105), specificity 99.3% (265/267) for detection of severe DF. In children with ALT and AST <1,000 IU/L (n=365), the area under receiver operating curves for prediction for severe DF, were 0.651 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.588-0.714; p<0.001) for ALT and 0.647 (95% CI, 0.582-0.712; p<0.001) for AST. Serum ALT at 376 IU/L and AST at 635 IU/L had sensitivity and specificity comparable to ${\geq}1,000IU/L$ for defining severe DF. Conclusion: Liver-injury is common in DF. The ALT and AST levels increase with DF severity. ALT and AST levels of ${\geq}1,000IU/L$ could be lowered to 376 IU/L and 635 IU/L respectively for defining severe DF.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.209-215
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• 2009

1. Objects: This case study reports a liver injury in treatment of constipation with Yeoldahanso-tang plus Rheum rhabarbarum. 2. Methods: The patient's subjective symptoms and the laboratory data including aspartate transaminase(AST), alanine transaminase(ALT), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), and gamma($\gamma$)-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT) were observed before and after liver injury. We used the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method(RUCAM) scale in order to find out whether if Yeoldahanso-tang plus Rheum rhabarbarum was related with the liver injury. 3. Results: The patient's AST and ALT were elevated more than twice after a 3week administration period of herbal medicine. After discontinuation of the herbal medicine and administration of hepatic protective medication, AST and ALT decreased. The patient's general condition improved during hospitalization. The RUCAM score was estimated at 8. 4. Conclusions: This case is presented to bring more attention to the toxicity of herbal medicine.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2018

Objectives : The root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus has been frequently used to treat patients with skin diseases in Korea. Recently, wild root of D. dasycarpus are reported to induce liver injury. Methods : Traditional uses of D. dasycarpus for skin diseases were analysed bibliographically. In addition, reported cases were collected and analysed using pubmed and national digital library. Results : In taiwan, D. dasycarpus revealed to be one of major herbs for skin diseases and many researchers in worldwide had reported its dermatological efficacies. Reported cases related in liver injury described that hepatocellular or cholestatic liver injury were seen in patients eating wild root of D. dasycarpus. In addition, 6 cases in worldwide and 1 case in Korea showed that patients with drug induced liver injury (DILI) ingested not root bark of D. dasycarpus but prescriptions containing root bark of D. dasycarpus. These mean that wild root of D. dasycarpus (Bongsam or Bongwhangsam) was estimated to be closely related in DILI. Whereas, it was difficult to confirm direct correlation between root bark of D. dasycarpus used as herbal medicine by doctor of Korean medicine and DILI. Conclusions : these results imply that wild root of D. dasycarpus is closely related in DILI and strong recommendation not to take it without consultation by experts is needed. In addition, although there are no evidences of direct correlation between root bark of D. dasycarpus and DILI, doctor of Korean medicines should pay attention to use root bark of D. dasycarpus in their clinics.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2020

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play essential roles in normal and pathophysiological function in liver. In steady state, HSCs contribute to retinoid storage, immune tolerance, and extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis. Upon liver injury, they become activated and lead to morphological and functional changes. Studies have demonstrated that activation of HSCs by various stimuli such as toxins, microbial infection, or metabolic overload can promote the fibrotic changes in liver by production of ECM. Herein, we provide current knowledge about the basic characteristics of HSCs and the mechanism by which they are activated.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.2 s.49
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• pp.161-165
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• 2005

The present study was carried out to find the possible protective effects of Angelica koreana water extract on biochemical parameters in benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P)-induced liver injury in rats. B(a)P treatment (0.1 mg/kg, 1.p.) caused a liver damages, which led to biochemical alterations in serum and liver enzyme activities and serum lipid levels. The activities of liver marker enzymes, especially, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were markedly changed in B(a)P treatment. Oral administration of Angelica koreana (50 mg/kg) recovered these biochemical Parameters to near normal levels. Therefore, the present results have revealed that Angelica koreana water extract might have the antihepatotoxic effect and consequently ameliorate liver damage associated with B(a)P in rats.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.289-294
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• 1996

To evaluate an effect of acute ethanol pretreatment on the liver injury in toluene-treated rats, toluene(50% in olive oil) was intraperitoneally given four times at 0.3ml/100g body weight at interval of one day to the ethanol-pretreated rats(0.3ml of 50%/100g body weight). The increasing rate of liver weitht per body weight(%), serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, liver lipid peroxide content was higher in toluene treated rats pretreated with ehtanol than those treated with toluene alone. Concomitantly the hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity was increased whereas glutathione content was decreased by ehtanol pretreatment before toluene administration in rats. In case of direct administration of acetaldhyde or benzaldehyde to the rats, the liver weitht per body weight(%) and serum levels of ALT activity were almost higher than the control group. There results indicate that the toluene treated rats showed the reversible injury of liver and intensified. however, by the ethanol treatment.