Inulin-type fructan and infusion of Artemisia vulgaris protect the liver against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury.
BACKGROUND
Infusions of aerial parts of Artemisia vulgaris L. (Asteraceae) are used in herbal medicine to treat several disorders, including hepatosis.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of in vivo hepatoprotective effects of A. vulgaris infusion (VI) and inulin (VPI; i.e., the major polysaccharide of VI).


METHODS
The hepatoprotective effect of A. vulgaris extracts on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity and the probable mechanism involved in this protection were investigated in mice.


METHODS
A. vulgaris infusion (VI) was prepared according to folk medicine using the aerial parts of the plant. Carbohydrate, protein, and total phenolic content was determined in VI, and its phenolic profile was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Male Swiss mice were orally pretreated for 7 days with VI or VPI (once per day). On days 6 and 7 of treatment, the mice were intraperitoneally challenged with CCl4. Liver and blood were collected and markers of hepatic damage in plasma and oxidative stress in the liver were analyzed. Hepatic histology and inflammatory parameters were also studied in the liver. The scavenging activity of VI and VPI were evaluated in vitro using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.


RESULTS
VI contained 40% carbohydrates, 2.9% proteins and 9.8% phenolic compounds. The HPLC fingerprint analysis of VI revealed chlorogenic, caffeic and dicaffeoylquinic acids as major low-molar-mass constituents. Oral pretreatment with VI and VPI significantly attenuated CCl4-induced liver damage, reduced the activity of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in plasma, and prevented reactive oxygen species accumulation and lipid peroxidation in the liver. Comparisons with the CCl4-treated group showed that VI and VPI completely prevented necrosis, increased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), and reduced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level in the liver. VI and VPI also exhibited high radical scavenging activity in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
VI and VPI had remarkable hepatoprotective effects in vivo, which were likely attributable to antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. The present findings support the traditional use of A. vulgaris infusion for the treatment of hepatic disorders.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, CP 19046, 81531-980 Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
Marília Locatelli
ML
Corrêa-Ferreira
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
Maria Helena
MH
Verdan
Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
Francislaine Aparecida
FA
Dos Reis Lívero
Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
Larissa Favaretto
LF
Galuppo
Department of Medical Pathology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
José Ederaldo Queiroz
JE
Telles
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
Maria Élida
MÉ
Alves Stefanello
Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
Alexandra
A
Acco
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, CP 19046, 81531-980 Curitiba, Parana, Brazil. Electronic address: clop@ufpr.br.
Carmen Lúcia de Oliveira
CL
Petkowicz
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D019306:Artemisia / Q000737:chemistry*; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005630:Fructans / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000975:Antioxidants; D005630:Fructans; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride
Artemisia vulgaris; CCl(4); Hepatoprotective effect; Infusion; Inulin