• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.101-105
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• 2009

We previously reported that a novel cerebroside, LCC, isolated from the fruits of Lycium chinense (Solanaceae), significantly exerted hepatoprotective activity against both the carbon tetrachloride-induced and galactosamine-induced toxicities in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. In the present study, we further attempted to determine the effect of LCC on hepatic fibrosis in animal model. Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by bile duct ligation/scission (BDL) for a period of 5 weeks. Treatment of BDL rats with LCC significantly reduced collagen deposition and the activities of serum alkaline phosphatase and ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase. In addition, the LCC treatment of BDL rats significantly preserved the decreased hepatic glutathione as well as the activities of glutathione reductase and catalase in BDL rats. From the results, it can be speculated that LCC might exert antifibrotic activity in rats with BDL, in part, through the preservation of antioxidant enzymes and hepatic glutathione.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.3-21
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• 1998

This study was to investigate the effects of Gibangganbang on the liver injury induced dimethylnitrosamine, CCl4, ethanol and partial hepatectomy. Hydroxyproline, hepatic fibrosis, hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration, fatty value, lipidoperoxide levels, glutathione levels, mitotic index, contents of protein in the serum and liver tissues were measured and observed. The results obtained were as follows. 1. The increasing level of hydroxyproline volume induced by dimethylnitrosamine in mice was decreased by the oral administration of Gibangganbang. 2. The degree of hitological fibrosis and hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration induced by $CCl_4$ was decreased by the oral administration of Gibangganbang. 3. The degree of fatty value and the increasing level of lipidoperoxide in liver tissues was decreased by the oral administration of Gibangganbang. 4. The level of glutathione in liver tissues was increasing by the oral administration of Gibangganbang. 5. The increasing level of microsomal lipidoperoxide in vitro assay was decreasing by the oral administration of Gibangganbang. 6. The increasing level of the mitotic index, weight of liver, contents of protein, RNA and DNA synthesis of the liver tissues after partial hepatectomy was activated by the oral administration of Gibangganbang. These results suggest that Gibangganbang not only inhibits liver cirrhotic change and ethanol-induced fatty change but also activates antioxidant enzymes and regeneration ability ocf liver.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.269-275
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• 2008

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has been widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent in oriental medicine. In the current study, we investigated the protective effect, and the possible mechanism, of dandelion extracts against ethanol-induced acute hepatotoxicity in C57BL/6 mice. Dandelion water and ethanol extract was administered at 2 g/kg body weight (BW) once daily for 7 consecutive days, whereas control and ethanol groups received water by gavage. Ethanol (50% ethanol; 6 g/kg BW) was administered 12 hr before sacrificing the mice in order to generate liver injury. Significantly increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities as well as liver triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels were attenuated by dandelion supplementation. In addition, dandelion extracts not only enhanced alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and anti-oxidative enzyme activities, but reduced lipid peroxidation. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1), one of the critical enzymes xenobiotic metabolism, expression was lower with ethanol treatment but restored by dandelion supplementation. These results were confirmed by improved histopathological changes in fatty liver and hepatic lesions induced by ethanol. In conclusion, dandelion could protect liver against ethanol administration by attenuating of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권12호
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• pp.1832-1842
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• 2007

Cytochrome P450 aromatase is responsible for the biosynthesis of estrogen. It is also responsible for the endogenous production of 19-nortestosterone (nandrolone), an anabolic androgen unique to pigs. Plasma concentrations of 19-nortestosterone are highest between two and four weeks after birth in male pigs. In the present study, the physiology of 19-nortestosterone was investigated by measuring the mRNA levels of steroidogenic enzymes, estrogen receptors and androgen receptor in the tissues of growing pigs. The expression of aromatase, 17${\alpha}$-hydroxylase and 3${\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the testes of male piglets increased between birth and two weeks of age, and then decreased progressively. Similar developmental expressional patterns were observed for 17${\alpha}$-hydroxylase and 3${\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the ovaries of female piglets, but without significant aromatase expression. The major form of aromatase expressed in the testes of piglets was identified as type I. Expression of estrogen receptor-${\alpha}$ and -${\beta}$and androgen receptor genes was also detected in both testes and ovaries. A transient elevation of androgen receptor mRNA in male piglets at two weeks of age was also observed in testes. Significant expression of the androgen receptor gene, but not of estrogen receptor-${\alpha}$ and -${\beta}$ genes, was also demonstrated in adipose tissue and muscle. We conclude that the observed increase in the testicular expression of aromatase in male pigs could account for the production of large amounts of 19-nortestosterone at between two and four weeks of age in males. Androgen receptor and 19-nortestosterone appeared to be important for testicular development and might contribute to sexual dimorphism in body composition and muscle development in juvenile pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.342-348
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• 2014

This study was conducted to examine the effects of condensed tannins (CT) from Ficus bengalensis leaves on the feed utilization, milk production and health status of crossbred cows. Eighteen crossbred dairy cows at their second and mid lactation (avg. BW $351.6{\pm}10.6$ kg) were randomly divided into two groups of nine each in a completely randomized block design and fed two iso-nitrogenous supplements formulated to contain 0% and 1.5% CT through dried and ground leaves of Ficus bengalensis. The diets were designated as CON and FBLM, respectively and fed to cows with a basal diet of rice straw to meet requirements for maintenance and milk production. The daily milk yield was significantly (p<0.05) increased due to supplementation of FBLM diet. The 4% fat corrected milk yield was also significantly (p<0.01) higher due to increased (p<0.05) milk fat in cows under diet FBLM as compared to CON. The inclusion of CT at 1.5% in the supplement did not interfere with the feed intake or digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF, and ADF by lactating cows. Digestible crude protein (DCP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) values of the composite diets were comparable between the groups. The blood biochemical parameters remained unaltered except significantly (p<0.05) lowered serum urea concentration in cows fed FBLM diet. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in cows supplemented with condensed tannins. The total thiol group (T-SH) was found to be higher with reduction in lipid peroxidation (LPO) in cows of FBLM group. The cost of feeding per kg milk production was also reduced due to supplementation of Ficus bengalensis leaves. Therefore, a perceptible positive impact was evident on milk production and antioxidant status in crossbred cows during mid-lactation given supplement containing 1.5% CT through Ficus bengalensis leaves.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.4303-4310
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• 2015

Rumex vesicarius is an edible herb distributed in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The whole plant has significant value in folk medicine and it has been used to alleviate several diseases. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the major primary malignant tumor of the liver, is one of the most life-threatening human cancers. The goal of the current study was to explore the potent role of Rumex vesicarius extract against HCC induced in rats. Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into 3 groups: (I): Healthy animals received orally 0.9 % normal saline and served as negative control group, (II): HCC group in which rats were orally administered N-nitrosodiethylamine NDEA, (III): HCC group treated orally with R. vesicarius extract in a dose of 400 mg/kg b.wt daily for two months. ALT and AST, ALP and ${\gamma}$-GT activities were estimated. CEA, AFP, AFU, GPC-3, Gp-73 and VEGF levels were quantified. Histopathological examination of liver tissue sections was also carried out. The results of the current study showed that the treatment of the HCC group with R. vesicarius extract reversed the significant increase in liver enzymes activity, CEA, AFP, AFU, glypican 3, golgi 73 and VEGF levels in serum as compared to HCC-untreated counterparts. In addition, the favorable impact of R. vesicarius treatment was evidenced by the marked improvement in the histopathological features of the liver of the treated group. In conclusion, the present experimental setting provided evidence for the significance of R. vesicarius as anticancer candidate with a promising anticancer potential against HCC. The powerful hepatoprotective properties, the potent antiangiogenic activity and the effective antiproliferative capacity are responsible for the anticancer effect of this plant.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.129-149
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• 2003

Liver is an important target of the toxicity of drugs, xenobiotics and oxidative stress. Acetaminophen pverdose causes acute liver injury in both humans and animals. This study was performed to observe the effect of sachunwhan and its component groups on recovery of hepatoxicity in acetaminophen treated rats. The experimental group was divided into 4 groups: sachungwhan(SC), samultang group(SC-1: 當歸, 川芎), chungyul group(SC-2: 龍膽草, 大黃, 梔子), and haepyo group(SC-3:羌活, 防風). Under the same condition Normal group was fed basal diet and water; Control group was injected acetaminophen and fed basal diet for 2 weeks; Experimental groups were injected acetaminophen and fed each extracts for 2 weeks respectively. The results were obtained as follows: 1. In the study on antioxidative defense system in vivo, SC reduced the amount of lipid peroxide in both serum and liver and showed activity on antioxidative enzymes such as catalase, glutathion. Other groups had effect only on glutathion. 2. In the study on hepatotoxicity(GOT, GPT, ${\gamma}$-GTP, ALP, LDH, Bilirubin), SC had a significant effect on recovery of hepatoxicity in acetaminophen treated rats. Other groups had no effect except SC-1 having effect on ${\gamma}$-GTP. As results shown, only Sachungwhan(SC) has significant effects on recovery of hepatoxicity and antioxidative defense system in vivo. These results suggest that Sachungwhan(SC) made antioxidative defense system active and it seemed to be very important to its effect on recovery of hepatoxicity. In the other hand, Component groups had no effect on recoverv of hepatoxicity and antioxidative defense system in vivo. This was thought that component drugs' cooperative synergy effect would be important to Sachungwhan(SC)'s effects mentioned in this paper.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.552-556
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• 2005

Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), glutathione transferase (GST) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) activities were analyzed in serum, livers and kidneys of pigs treated with graded doses of fluoride (as NaF). Ninety-six Duroc-Landrace-Yorkshire crossbred growing pigs (48 barrows and 48 gilts, respectively), with similar initial weight 24.14${\pm}$1.12kg, were randomly assigned to four different treatments. These treatments containing the following added F: basal control; 50 mg/kg F; 100 mg/kg F and 150 mg/kg F were randomly assigned to four pens (three barrows and three gilts) each in a completely randomized design. The results showed pigs treated with 150 mg/kg F significantly decreased average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05) and increased feed/gain ratio (F/G) (p<0.05) compared to the controls. In the groups treated with fluoride, the contents of MDA increased, T-AOC levels and the activities of SOD, GSH-PX, CAT, GST and XOD decreased, and most of which altered significantly (p<0.05). The study therefore indicated the mechanism of excess fluoride on the impairment of soft tissues involved in lipid peroxidation and decreased the activities of some enzymes associated with free radical metabolism.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제19권8호
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• pp.1164-1173
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• 2006

Cellulase from Aspergillus niger, (${\alpha}$-amylase from Bacillus sp. and protease from Bacillus globigii were used as enzyme sources in this study to examine how their respective substrates protect them in two kinds of simulated gastrointestinal tract digesting processes. Avian total digest tract simulation test showed that filter paper, Avicel and cellulose resulted in 7.7, 6.4 and 7.4 times more activity than of unprotected cellulose, respectively. Protease with addition of casein, gelatin or soybean protein showed no significant protection response. Starch protected amylase to be 2.5 times activity of the unprotected one. Monogastric animal total tract digestion simulation test showed that filter paper, Avicel and cellulose resulted in 5.9, 9.0 and 8.8 times activity of unprotected cellulase, respectively. Casein, gelatin and soybean protein resulted in 1.2, 1.3 and 2.0 times activity of unprotected protease, respectively. Starch did not protect amylase activity in monogastric animal total tract simulation. Protection of mixed enzymes by substrates in two animal total tract simulation tests showed that filter paper in combination with soybean protein resulted in 1.5 times activity of unprotected cellulose, but all substrates tested showed no significant protection effect to protease. Soybean protein and starch added at the same time protected the amylase activity to be two times of the unprotected one. Test of non-purified substrate protection in two animal total digest tract simulation showed that cellulase activity increased as BSA (bovine serum albumin) concentration increased, with the highest activity to be 1.3 times of unprotected enzyme. However, BSA showed no significant protection effect to protease. Amylase activity increased to 1.5 times as BSA added more than 1.5% (w/v). Cellulase activity increased to 1.5 times as soybean hull was added higher than 1.5%. Amylase had a significant protection response only when soybean hull added up to 2%. Protease activity was not protected by soybean hull to any significant extent.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.298-311
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• 2013

Objectives : In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Eunhoebanchong-san (EBS) on caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) by detecting oxidative stress markers and performing histopathological examination. Methods : Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups as follows: normal (NOR), caerulein-induced (CON), caerulein+EBS (130 mg/kg, EA), caerulein+EBS (260 mg/kg, EB) and caerulein+EBS (520 mg/kg, EC) groups. Pancreatic tissues of rats from all groups were removed for apoptosis, and light, and electron microscopic examination. Blood of rats from all groups was obtained for oxidative stress markers and pathological examination. Pancreatic oxidative stress markers were evaluated by the measurements of serum amylase, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were determined spectrophotometrically. Results : The ratio of pancreas/body weight increased significantly in the CON compared with the NOR, but decreased significantly in the EA, the EB, the EC groups compared with the CON. Caerulein administration resulted in a significant increase in amylase, but EBS reduced the levels of these enzymes. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels increased significantly in CON compared with NOR, but reduced in EA, EB, and EC group at 24 hrs. In the observations of optical microscopy and electron microscopy, the experimental groups showed significant decreases in pancreatic tissue inflammation, edema, vacuolization, necrosis compared to the control group. Altogether, this indicates EBS is potentially capable of limiting pancreatic damage produced during AP by restoring the fine structure of acinar cells and tissue. Conclusions : We concluded that EBS may have beneficial effects in the treatment of caerulein-induced AP.