Biochemical mechanism of Wu-Zi-Yan-Zong-Wan, a traditional Chinese herbal formula, against alcohol-induced oxidative damage in CYP2E1 cDNA-transfected HepG2 (E47) cells.
OBJECTIVE
Wu-Zi-Yan-Zong-Wan (WZ) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula which is commonly used for treating patients with "Yang deficiency". In the present study, the effect of WZ on ethanol-induced toxicity in CYP2E1 cDNA-transfected HepG2 (E47) cells was investigated.


METHODS
WZ extract was obtained by extracting the herbal powder with 50% ethanol (v/v, in water) and the effect of the extract on ethanol-induced toxicity was investigated in cultured cells.


RESULTS
The treatment with WZ extract (12.5-200 microg/mL) for 24h dose-dependently protected against ethanol-induced toxicity in E47 cells, as evidenced by the enhanced cell viability and decreased extent of lactate dehydrogeanse leakage. The cytoprotection against ethanol-induced toxicity was associated with decreases in the extents of reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation, as well as increases in mitochondrial reduced glutathione and membrane potential. In addition, WZ extract treatment also suppressed the formation of DNA fragments in ethanol-intoxicated E47 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
WZ extract was found to protect against the ethanol-induced toxicity in E47 cells, possibly by virtues of its antioxidant activity.
Chen
Meng-Li
ML
School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
Ip
Siu-Po
SP
Tsai
Sam-Hip
SH
Ko
Kam-Ming
KM
Che
Chun-Tao
CT
D002460:Cell Line; D019392:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 / Q000235:genetics*; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014162:Transfection
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D000431:Ethanol; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D019392:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1