Protection by hot water extract of Panax notoginseng on chronic ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of a hot water extract of Panax notoginseng (PNG) against chronic ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Fifty mice were divided into fi ve equal groups with 10 in each group. Group 1 (control) received saline, whereas group 2 received ethanol (70%, 0.1 mL, p.o.) once daily for 4 weeks, which induced hepatotoxicity, manifested biochemically by a significant elevation of serum enzyme activities, such as SGOT and SGPT. Hepatotoxicity was further evidenced by a significant increase in the hepatic lipid peroxidation measured. Groups 3-5 were administered a hot water extract of PNG at doses of 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg 2 weeks after initiating oral administration of ethanol, for a further 2 weeks. PNG ameliorated the rise in serum sGOT and sGPT induced by chronic ethanol administration. The mice were killed after PNG administration. In a separate study, PNG inhibited the lipid peroxidation in the mouse liver homogenate induced by ethanol in a dose-dependent manner. The findings indicate that PNG is an efficient cytoprotective agent against chronic ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity, possibly through inhibition of the production of oxygen-free radicals that cause lipid peroxidation.
Lin
Chih-Fu
CF
Department of Anesthesiology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wong
Kar-Lok
KL
Wu
Rick Sai-Chuen
RS
Huang
Tian-Chyuan
TC
Liu
Chi-Feng
CF
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D005894:Panax; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol