title: Mitochondrial protective effects of Myrica rubra extract against acetaminophen-induced toxicity.
abstract: The present study investigates the hepatoprotective activity of Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc. extract (MCE) against acetaminophen (AAP)-induced liver damage and elucidates the possible mechanisms behind the hepatoprotection observed. Serum alanine aminotransferase and serum aspartate aminotransferase activities were detected and liver histopathology was observed. Mitochondrial swelling, mitochondrial membrane potential, and voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) gene transcription were also investigated. The results showed that 50, 150, and 450 mg/kg MCE could restore AAP-induced changes in mice liver in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanisms behind the hepatoprotective effects of MCE may be related to the mitochondrial protection of liver cells, especially of VDAC, an important protein on the outer membrane of the mitochondria.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210093, China.
authors.forename: Wenwen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gou
authors.forename: Lizhi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yucai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Zengtao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Huimei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yaping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008933:Mitochondrial Swelling / Q000187:drug effects; D031641:Myrica; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D050994:Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050994:Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels; D000082:Acetaminophen