Hepatoprotective effect of total flavonoids from Laggera alata against carbon tetrachloride-induced injury in primary cultured neonatal rat hepatocytes and in rats with hepatic damage.
The hepatoprotective activities of total flavonoids of Laggera alata (TFLA) were evaluated by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced injury in primary cultured neonatal rat hepatocytes and in rats with hepatic damage. In vitro, TFLA at a concentration range of 1-100 microg/ml improved cell viability and inhibited cellular leakage of two enzymes, hepatocyte aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), caused by CCl(4). In vivo, oral treatment with TFLA at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the levels of AST, ALT, total protein, and albumin in serum and the hydroxyproline and sialic acid levels in liver. Histopathological examinations revealed that liver damage were improved when treated with TFLA. Meanwhile, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radicals scavenging activities of TFLA were also determinated. To understand the exact components of TFLA responsible for the hepatoprotective effect, nine flavonoid compounds were isolated and identified from TFLA. In conclusion, the present investigation was the first to verify the hepatoprotective effect of L. alata in vitro and in vivo. The hepatoprotective action of TFLA is likely related to its potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity. Neutralizing reactive oxygen species by nonenzymatic mechanisms and enhancing the activity of original natural hepatic-antioxidant enzymes may be the main mechanisms of TFLA against CCl(4)-induced injury.
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, China. yihangwu@126.com
Yihang
Y
Wu
Fang
F
Wang
Qunxiong
Q
Zheng
Longxi
L
Lu
Hongtian
H
Yao
Changxin
C
Zhou
Xiumei
X
Wu
Yu
Y
Zhao
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000378:metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010851:Picrates; D051381:Rats; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D005419:Flavonoids; D006834:Hydrazines; D010851:Picrates; D013481:Superoxides; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase