Effects of Eriobotrya japonica seed extract on oxidative stress in rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
OBJECTIVE
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is associated with the deposition of lipid droplets in the liver, and is characterised histologically by the infiltration of inflammatory cells, hepatocellular degeneration and liver fibrosis. Oxidative stress may play an important role in the onset and deterioration of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. We previously reported that an Eriobotrya japonica seed extract, extracted in 70% ethanol, exhibited antioxidant actions in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we examined the effect of this extract in a rat model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.


METHODS
The seed extract was given in the drinking water to fats being fed a methionine-choline-deficient diet for 15 weeks.


RESULTS
Increases in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly inhibited in rats fed the seed extract compared with the group on the diet alone. Formation of fatty droplets in the liver was also inhibited. Antioxidant enzyme activity in liver tissue was higher than in the diet-only group and lipid peroxidation was reduced compared with rats that also received the extract. Expression of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal was lower in the rats given the seed extract than in the diet-only group. In the former, liver tissue levels of transforming growth factor-beta and collagen were also decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, the E. japonica seed extract inhibited fatty liver, inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting its usefulness in the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Yoshioka
Saburo
S
Department of Pharmacy, Kochi Medical School, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan. jm-saburo@kochi-u.ac.jp
Hamada
Atsuhide
A
Jobu
Kohei
K
Yokota
Junko
J
Onogawa
Masahide
M
Kyotani
Shojiro
S
Miyamura
Mitsuhiko
M
Saibara
Toshiji
T
Onishi
Saburo
S
Nishioka
Yutaka
Y
D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000447:Aldehydes / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D031983:Eriobotrya / Q000737:chemistry*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000447:Aldehydes; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D003849:Deoxyguanosine; C027576:4-hydroxy-2-nonenal