Herbal extracts as hepatoprotectants against acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.
Many plant-derived natural products have the potential to be hepatoprotective and therefore can be used to treat acute and chronic liver diseases. The challenge is to identify the most promising compounds and evaluate their protective mechanism. In a recently published article, Wang et al evaluated extracts of the plant Gentiana manshurica Kitagawa (GM) in a model of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity. The authors concluded that GM is hepatoprotective against acetaminophen-induced liver injury due to its antioxidant properties and anti-apoptotic capacity. We would like to discuss the limitations of this experimental approach and question the conclusion based on the data presented in this manuscript and the published literature.
Jaeschke
Hartmut
H
Williams
C David
CD
McGill
Mitchell R
MR
Farhood
Anwar
A
D000082:Acetaminophen; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D030012:Gentiana; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000082:Acetaminophen