Hepatoprotective and anti-hepatocarcinogenic effects of glycyrrhizin and matrine.
Matrine (Mat), a component extracted from Sophora flavescens Ait, has a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects. Glycyrrhizin (Gly), a major active constituent of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root, has various pharmacological effects. Gly and Mat are ancillary drugs used clinically in China for protection of liver function and treatment of tumors. However, habitual administration of Gly may cause adverse effects marked by the development of pseudohypercorticosteroidism. This work was designed to see whether combination use of Gly and Mat could offer better liver protective and anti-hepatocarcinogenic effects than Gly or Mat alone, and whether it could reduce the adverse effects of Gly alone by acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, induction of immunosuppression, albumen-induced swelling of rat hind paws. The results showed that compared with Gly or Mat alone, Gly+Mat reduced the mortality of acetaminophen overdosed mice more effectively, attenuate acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, and reduced the number and area of gamma-GT positive foci, thus protecting liver function and preventing HCC from occurring. In addition, Gly+Mat had a protective effect on immunosuppression, a strong non-specific anti-inflammatory effect, and an effect of reducing the incidence of sodium and water retention.
Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Xu-ying
XY
Wan
Ming
M
Luo
Xiao-dong
XD
Li
Ping
P
He
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000633:toxicity; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D002712:Chlorides / Q000652:urine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000633:toxicity; D004052:Diethylnitrosamine / Q000633:toxicity; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011188:Potassium / Q000652:urine; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012964:Sodium / Q000652:urine; D000093842:Matrines
D000470:Alkaloids; D002712:Chlorides; D011807:Quinolizines; D000082:Acetaminophen; D004052:Diethylnitrosamine; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D012964:Sodium; D005978:Glutathione; D011188:Potassium; D000093842:Matrines