title: Protective effect of Moutan Cortex extract on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.
abstract: Previously, we demonstrated that Moutan Cortex prevents acetaminophen (AAP)-induced cytotoxicity in vitro. The present study examined the protective effect of Moutan Cortex on AAP induced hepatotoxicity and the possible mechanisms underlying this effect in mice. When Montan Cortex was administered to ICR mice, followed by hepatotoxic dose of AAP (400 mg/kg, i.p.), Moutan Cortex pre-exposure prevented liver injury as indicated by the decrease of serum alanine aminotransferase level. Moutan Cortex also protected AAP-induced hepatic glutathione depletion. Cytochrome P450 2E1-dependent aniline and p-nitrophenol hydroxylases activities in microsomal incubations were significantly inhibited by Moutan Cortex. Abrogation of toxicity was also mirrored in DNA fragmentation. These observations demonstrate that Moutan Cortex pre-exposure may attenuate AAP-induced GSH depletion, cytochrome P450 2E1 activity, and hepatic DNA damage in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Intractable Disease Research Center, Dongguk University, Sukjang-Dong 707, Kyongju 780-714, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Shon
authors.forename: Kyung-Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Nam
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D029596:Paeonia; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts; C038881:moutan cortex; D000082:Acetaminophen