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Protective effect of rhamnopyranosyl vanilloyl isolated from <i>Scrophularia ningpoensis</i> Hemsl (Scrophulariaceae) root against acute liver injury in mice


Chang-Wu Wang
Xin-Hui Fang

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of rhamnopyranosyl vanilloyl (RV) from Scrophularia ningpoensis root against tetrachloromethane (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice.
Methods: RV was isolated from S. ningpoensis by column chromatography. ALI  model of mice was established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. Liver index, liver function indices, as well as serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate  aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) were evaluated. Lipid peroxidation (LPO)-related indices, including malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3) in liver tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot.
Results: After treatment with RV (10, 20 or 40 mg/kg), liver index (5.65 - 5.21 vs. 6.68 %), ALT (90.18 - 79.68 vs. 112.47 U/L), AST (64.44 - 57.63 vs. 75.41 U/L) and TBIL (2.68 - 1.95 vs. 3.21 U/L) activities, as well as MDA (3.58 - 2.88 vs. 4.13 μmol/g), Bax and caspase-3 levels significantly (p < 0.05 or 0.01) decreased, compared with those in control group. After treatment with RV (10, 20 or 40 mg/kg), GSH (16.58 - 22.14 vs. 12.34 μmol/g), Bcl-2, SOD (86.45 - 107.61 vs. 68.43 U/mg) and GSH-Px (295.64 - 329.47 vs. 268.49 U/mg) levels or activities  significantly (p < 0.05 or 0.01) increased, compared with those in control group.
Conclusion: RV has protective effect against CCl4-induced ALI in mice, and the mechanisms involve the inhibition of LPO and apoptosis in liver cells. Thus, RV is a potential drug for the treatment of liver injury


Keywords: Rhamnopyranosyl vanilloyl, Scrophularia ningpoensis, Liver injury,  Protective effect, Lipid peroxidation, Apoptosis


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eISSN: 1596-9827
print ISSN: 1596-5996