Hepatoprotective effect of Cirsium arisanense Kitamura in tacrine-treated hepatoma Hep 3B cells and C57BL mice.
Cirsium arisanense Kitamura (Compositae) has been used for hundreds of years in Taiwan as a folk medicine for hepatoprotection. However, no scientific research has demonstrated this effect. In the present study, we extracted the phenol-containing aqueous components of C. arisanense roots (CaR) and leaves/stem (CaL), and then assessed their hepatoprotective activities in both human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep 3B cells and C57BL/6 mice strain. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that the components of CaR and CaL differed from those of the positive control silymarin. CaR exhibited a higher phenolic content and antioxidant capacity than CaL. Hep 3B cells treated with silymarin (0-200 microg/ml) demonstrated a concentration-dependent decrease in viability; however, both CaR and CaL did not exhibit any apparent cytotoxicity. Silymarin at 100 microg/ml, as well as CaR and CaL, not only protect Hep 3B cells from tacrine-induced hepatotoxicity but also decrease the expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Moreover, an animal experiment demonstrated that CaR, CaL, and silymarin have hepatoprotective effects in C57BL/6 mice injected with tacrine, and they significantly decrease the levels of plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). These effects of CaR and silymarin, but not of CaL, may occur via an increase in the hepatic glutathione level and the elimination of the nitric oxide production. In conclusion, the phenol-containing aqueous components from C. arisanense have potential in hepatoprotection.
Ku
Kuo-Lung
KL
Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Tsai
Chu-Tsai
CT
Chang
Wei-Min
WM
Shen
Mei-Lin
ML
Wu
Chia-Tien
CT
Liao
Hui-Fen
HF
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D031180:Cirsium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019800:Phenol / Q000032:analysis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots; D012838:Silymarin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013619:Tacrine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity*
D000975:Antioxidants; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012838:Silymarin; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019800:Phenol; D013619:Tacrine; D005978:Glutathione