Hepatoprotective activity of Cichorium endivia L. extract and its chemical constituents.
The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective properties of Cichorium endivia L. extract (CEE), and to identify its chemical constituents. CEE significantly blocked the oxidative stress and cytotoxicity induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) in HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, oral administration of CEE to mice before the treatment of t-BHP exhibited a markedly protective effect by lowering serum levels of ALT and AST, inhibiting the changes in liver biochemistry including MDA, SOD, GSH and GST, as well as ameliorating the liver injuries according to the histopathological observations. According to the acute oral toxicity test, the LD(50) of CEE was greater than 5,000 mg/kg, which demonstrates that the CEE can be considered practically non-toxic. Phytochemical analysis of CEE showed the presence of five compounds identified as 2-furanmethanol-(5'→11)-1,3-cyclopentadiene-[5,4-c]-1H-cinnoline, which is a new cinnoline derivative derived from a natural source but not synthesis, 2-phenylethyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, kaempferol, and adenosine. In the ORAC assay, CEE and its constituents kaempferol and kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside had considerable antioxidant potency. Taken together, CEE protects hepatic tissue from oxidative damage in vitro and in vivo, potentially due to its phenolic substances, and does not cause acute oral toxicity, which suggests that CEE may be a valid and safe remedy to cure liver disease.
New Drug Safety Evaluation Center, Institute of Materia Medica, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 1 Xiannongtan Street, Beijing, China. chaojienchen@yahoo.com
Chao-Jie
CJ
Chen
An-Jun
AJ
Deng
Chang
C
Liu
Rui
R
Shi
Hai-Lin
HL
Qin
Ai-Ping
AP
Wang
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D044949:Kaempferols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009005:Monosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D020122:tert-Butylhydroperoxide / Q000633:toxicity
D000975:Antioxidants; D044949:Kaempferols; D009005:Monosaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C511963:kaempferol-3-O-glucoside; D020122:tert-Butylhydroperoxide