Study on the Anti - Hyperlipidemia and Liver Cell Protection of Korean Medicinal Herb Complex of Alcohol fed Rats

  • Park, Kap Joo (Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University) ;
  • Ahn, Ki Heung (Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University) ;
  • Kim, Myung Hee (Department of Foodservice & Culinary, Kyonggi University) ;
  • Lee, Hyung Hoan (Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University)
  • Published : 2004.12.01

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the ameliorating effects of a Korean medicinal herb (KMH) complex on the impacts of alcohol consumption in rat hepatocytes and in reducing the total cholesterol levels and the total lipid levels in the serum. We compared the body weight gain and ratio of the liver, the kidney to body weight, and also the serum biochemistry of the rats administered with both the alcohol and the KMH complex to the control rats treated with alcohol alone. The clinically important enzyme markers (Aspartate Aminotransferase, AST, and Alanine Aminotransferase, ALT) of rats, administered with both the alcohol and the KMH complex treatments, were compared with those in the control group. The treatment regimen (KMH complex) significantly reduced the serum AST and ALT levels, indicating the hepato-protective effects of the KMH complex. Furthermore, total cholesterol and total lipid levels were significantly reduced. These results indicate that the KMH complex may positively mediate the effects of alcohol on hepatocytes and the general liver functions.

Keywords

References

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