• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.57-64
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• 2015

Objectives : Oxidative stress is one of the most causes of hepatocyte injury. Gleditsia spina, the thorns ofGleditsia sinensisLam., has been known for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects in Korean medicine. The present study investigated hepatoprotective effect of Gleditsia spina water extract (GSE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA) + iron in HepG2 cells.Methods : To investigate cytoprotective effect of GSE, cells were pretreated with GSE and then subsequently exposed to 10 μM AA for 12 h, followed by 5 μM iron. Cell viability was monitored by MTT assay, and expression of apoptosis-related proteins was examined by immunoblot analysis. To identify responsible molecular mechanisms, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, GSH contents, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured. In addition, effect of GSE on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation was determined by immunoblot and antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven reporter gene assays.Results : GSE pretreatment prevented AA + iron-mediated cytotoxicity in concentration dependent manner. In addition, ROS production, glutathione depletion, and mitochondrial impairment by AA + iron were significantly inhibited by GSE. Furthermore, GSE promoted translocation of Nrf2 to nucleus, which acts as essential transcription factor for induction of antioxidant genes. Increased nuclear Nrf2 that caused by GSE treatment promoted transcriptional activity of ARE. Finally, GSE up-regulated sestrin-2 which was widely recognized as target gene of Nrf2.Conclusions : This study demonstrates that GSE protects hepatocytes from oxidative stress via activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2012

Objective : Myeongganbo (MGB) composited with Hovenia Semen, Puerariae Radix and Dioscoreae Rhizoma is the prescription for protection of liver function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of MGB extract against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in mice. Methods : MGB extract was prepared by extracting with hot distilled water. The extract was freeze-dried following filtration through vacuum distillation system. Mice fasted for overnight were orally administrated with or without MGB extract of different doses (25-200 mg/kg/day). After 30 min, APAP was orally applied with a single dose (400 mg/kg). The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured in plasmas of mice. Glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase GSH-px), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) level were investigated in liver homogenates. Liver sections were stained with haematoxylin & eosin, anti-TNF-${\alpha}$ and anti-mouse COX-2 antibodies. Results : APAP treatment remarkably increased AST and ALT activities in plasma but inhibited GSH and GSH-px levels in liver homogenates. Also, liver injury was significantly accelerated by APAP treatment. Furthermore, APAP remarkably elevated COX-2 activity and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels in liver homogenates. However, administration of MGB extract was able to counteract these effects. Histological studies provided supportive evidence for biochemical and molecular analysis Conclusions : These results suggest that MGB extract has potent hepatoprotective effect against APAP-induced liver injury, these properties may contribute to liver disease care.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.688-693
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• 2007

The hepatoprotective effects of water extracts composed of Adenophora triphylla var japonica Hara (ATJH) on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated in vivo and in vivo. The effects of ATJH on liver toxicity induced by APAP were assessed by blood biochemical and histopathological analyses. APAP treatment (350 mg/kg) caused severe liver injury in mice as indicated by their significantly elevated plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Pretreatment with ATJH for 3 or 7 days attenuated the increases in ALT and AST when challenged with APAP. The reductions in viability caused by high dose of APAP (450 mg/kg) in vivo were reversed by pretreatment with ATJH. These protective effects of ATJH against APAP-induced toxicity were consistent with the results from the histopathological examinations. We next examined the effects of ATJH on the gene expression of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) that detoxify the metabolic intermediates of APAP in H4IIE cells. The hepatic GST protein levels [$\alpha$ class (GSTA2, GSTA3/5)] were significantly elevated in a dose-dependent manner by ATJH treatment. In summary, ATJH is effective at protecting against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by GST induction, implying that ATJH should be considered a potential chemopreventive agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.326-335
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• 2010

The concentration of phenolics in Phellinus pini (CY001) extracts, expressed as mg of GAEs per g of P. pini fractions, and the EtOAc fraction (436.5 mg GAEs/g) of P. pini had a higher phenolic content than other fractions. Several biochemical assays were used to screen antioxidant properties such as reducing power, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, NBT/XO superoxide system and inhibition of DCF/AAPH peroxyl radicals. Among the six mushroom extracts, the EtOAc fraction from P. pini (CY001) showed the most potent DPPH radical, superoxide radical, and peroxyl radical scavenging activities, with $IC_{50}$ values of $11.49\;{\mu}g/ml$, $8.32\;{\mu}g/ml$, and $1.91\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The EtOAc fraction of P. pini (CY001) significantly inhibited enzymatic lipid peroxidation and effectively attenuated LPS-induced NO production of RAW 264.7 cells without cytotoxicity. We also found that the EtOAc fraction had a significant hepato-protectant effect on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. These findings suggest that P. pini (CY001) may have potential as a natural antioxidant, which contains compound(s) with radical scavenging activity.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.122-127
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• 2006

The effects of fermented chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) powder on the lipid concentrations and the activities of liver marker enzymes of serum in genetically diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats were investigated. Rats were fed a semisynthetic diet supplemented with 50 g/kg chaga mushroom powder (CM) or 50 g/kg fermented chaga mushroom powder (FCM) for 8 weeks (26 to 34 weeks of age). Nondiabetic Long-Evans Toknshima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as age-matched nondiabetic control animals. Water consumption was significantly higher in the OLETF control than the LETO rats. Water consumption in the FCM-fed OLETF rats tended to be less than in both the OLETF control and CM-fed OLETF rats. Serum concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly higher in the OLETF control rats than in the LETO rats while within the OLETF rat groups, the consumption of FCM resulted in a significantly lower serum triglyceride concentration and slightly lowered serum total cholesterol concentration when compared to the OLETF control and CM-fed rats. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was significantly higher in the OLETF control than in the LETO rats, but this difference was significantly reduced compared to the CM-fed rats and essentially no difference in the ALT levels was observed between the LETO and OLETF-FCM rats. This observation suggests an adaptive effect of the fermented chaga mushroom in liver function. Livers of the LETO rats showed no histopathological changes, whereas those of the OLETF control rats were characterized by many fat depositions in the central zone of the hepatocytes. The livers of the OLETF CM-fed rats showed less fatty changes compared to the OLETF control rats and fat deposition in the hepatocytes was nearly absent. These results suggest that orally ingested fermented chaga mushroom has a potential beneficial effect on the complications known to occur in the obesity-related non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NlDDM) OLETF rat.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.789-794
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Cassia tora ethanol extracts on carbon tetrachloride($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following 4 groups: normal group, $CCl_4$, treated group, $CCl_4-0.25%$ Cassia tora ethanol extracts group and $CCl_4-0.5%$ Cassia tora ethanol extracts group. Rats were fed with each experimental diet and water for 5 weeks. Liver weights of rats treated only with $CCl_4$, were significantly increased compared to normal group, but not in rats fed diet containing Cassia tora ethanol extracts. Cholesterol and triglyceride contents in serum and liver were also not influenced by either $CCl_4$, treatment or the supplementation of Cassia tora ethanol extracts. $CCl_4$, treatment significantly increased ALP activities, however the supplementation of Cassia tora ethanol extracts significantly decreased the activities of serum ALT, AST, ${\gamma}-GTP$ in dose-dependent manner. Cassia tora ethanol extracts significantly reduced $CCl_4-induced$ elevation of liver TBARS contents. Activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were decreased by $CCl_4$, treatment, however by the supplement of Cassia tora ethanol extracts slightly increased activities of SOD and catalase. The activity of glutathione peroxidase in groups fed diets containing Cassia tora ethanol extracts was significantly decreased compared to that of the control group. These results suggest that Cassia tora ethanol extracts may exert protective effect against $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury through the prevention of lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.350-355
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• 2010

The hepatoprotective effects of theanine on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated in vivo and in vitro. The effects of theanine on liver toxicity induced by APAP were assessed by blood biochemical and histopathological analyses. APAP treatment (400 mg/kg) caused severe liver injury in mice as indicated by their significantly elevated plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Pretreatment with theanine for 3 days attenuated the increase in ALT and AST when challenged with APAP. These protective effects of theanine against APAP-induced toxicity were consistent with the results from the histopathological examinations. We next examined the effects of theanine on the GSH concentration in liver plasma. The hepatic GSH level was significantly elevated in a dose-dependent manner by theanine treatment. The results suggest that the protective effects of theanine APAP-induced hapatotoxicity by antioxidative effect and GSH induction, implying that theanine should be considered a potential chemopreventive agent.

• Journal of Chitin and Chitosan
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.267-276
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• 2018

This study was performed to investigate the ameliorating effect of a hangover beverage mixture (SBJ) that contains Dendropanax morbifera Lev. and several medicinal plant extracts, on hepatoprotection and alcohol-metabolizing enzymes in alcohol-induced hangover in both in vitro and in vivo models. In human hepatoma cell line, HepG2, 300 mM of ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity was significantly improved by pretreatment of SBJ by dose-dependent manner. In the in vivo study, administration of alcohol to rats raised to the concentration of blood alcohol and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Blood alcohol and LDH levels in SBJ-treated rats significantly decreased at 0.5 h and 8 h after acute ethanol administration (40%, 4.6 g/kg body weight) as compared to alcohol-treated rats. Hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity were significantly higher in SBJ-treated rats than in alcohol-treated rats. SBJ supplementation reduced formation of malondialdehyde (MDA), and inhibited reductions of hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), hepatic glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels, compared with rats administered alcohol. Plasma catalase (CAT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels showed unaltered resulted in all experimental groups compared with the control group. These results suggest that SBJ exhibit hepatoprotective properties by enhancing ADH, ALDH activity and stimulating the antioxidant defense system in alcohol-induced hangover.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.394-402
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• 2014

Purpose: Dendropanax morifera Leveille (DML) exhibits diverse biological and pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidative effect, anti-cancer activity, hepatoprotection, immunological stimulation, and bone regeneration. As part of the identification for novel functions of DML, we investigated the therapeutic effects of DML on diabetes induced by streptozotocine (STZ) treatment. Methods: First, the four extracts including the water extract of leaf (DLW), the ethanol extract of leaf (DLE), the water extract of stem (DSW), and the ethanol extract of stem (DSE) were collected from the leaf and stem of DML using a hot water and ethanol solvent. Alterations in body weight, glucose concentration, insulin level, and pancreatic islet structure were investigated in diabetic mice after treatment with extracts of DML for 2 weeks. Results: Among four extracts, the highest level of total polyphenols and total flavonoids was detected in DLW, while the lowest level of these was measured in DSE. The radical scavenging activity was also higher in DLW than in the other three extracts at the concentration of $25-100{\mu}g/mL$, although this activity was maintained at a constant level in all groups at the concentration of $500{\mu}g/mL$. Based on the results of anti-oxidant activity, DLW and DLE were selected for examination of anti-diabetic effects in a diabetes model. Body weight was gradually decreased in all STZ treated groups compared with the No treated group. However, four STZ/DML treated groups maintained a high level of body weight during 7-14 days, while the STZ/vehicle treated group showed a gradual decrease of body weight during the same period. Also, a significant decrease or increase in the concentration of glucose and insulin in the blood of the diabetes model was detected in a subset of groups, although the highest increase was detected in the STZ/DLE-200 treated group. In addition, the histological structure of pancreatic islet was significantly recovered after treatment with DLW and DLE. Conclusion: These results suggest that DLW and DLE may contribute to attenuation of clinical symptoms of diabetes as well as prevent the destruction of pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells in STZ-induced diabetes mice.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.216-224
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• 2018

To evaluate physiological effect of Aralia elata, in vitro antioxidant activity and hepatic protective effects were investigated. Ethyl acetate fraction from Aralia elata (EFAE) had higher total phenolic content than other fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, and distilled water layers). EFAE also showed significantly greater radical scavenging activity against 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), than other fractions. Moreover, EFAE showed dose-dependent inhibitory effect of malondialdehyde (MDA). Hepatoprotective effects of EFAE against ethanol- and $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in H4IIE and HepG2 hepatic cells were examined using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) and 3-[4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results showed that EFAE reduced cellular oxidative stress, and increased hepatic cell viability. In addition, EFAE inhibited ethanol-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Finally, physiological substances of EFAE were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the major bioactive compounds identified were 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and chlorogenic acid.