• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.513-518
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• 2013

We investigated the protective effects of Gymnaster koraiensis against oxidative stress-induced hepatic cell damage. We used two different cytotoxicity models, i.e., the administration of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) and acetaminophen, in HepG2 cells to evaluate the protective effects of G. koraiensis. The ethyl acetate (EA) fraction of G. koraiensis and its major compound, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (DCQA), exerted protective effects in the t-BHP-induced liver cytotoxicity model. The EA fraction and DCQA ameliorated t-BHP-induced reductions in GSH levels and exhibited free radical scavenging activity. The EA fraction and DCQA also significantly reduced t-BHP-induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the hexane fraction of G. koraiensis and its major compound, gymnasterkoreayne B (GKB), exerted strong hepatoprotection in the acetaminophen-induced cytotoxicity model. CYP 3A4 enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by the extract, hexane fraction, and GKB. The hexane fraction and GKB ameliorated acetaminophen-induced reductions in GSH levels and protected against cell death.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.46-46
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• 2003

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) are widespread, persistant, and highly toxic environmental pollutants. TCDD is the most potent congener among PCDDs and the most thoroughly investigated model compound of this class of chemicals. These compounds elicit a variety of common biochemical and toxic response, including specific binding to the cytosolic AHR [1] and induces a variety of biological response ranging from induction of cytochrome P-450 1A (CYP1A) to liver damage and cancer [2]. This study was carried out to investigate the protective effects of YCY, extract of a cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, on hepatotoxicity in 6-week-old SD rat exposured to TCDD (omitted)

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2008

We evaluated the potential protective activity of the traditional Korean medicinal herb, Corni fructus (CF), in an experimental model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbontetrachloride $(CCl_4)$. The CF exhibited a hepatoprotective activity against Chang cell. And The expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), measured by RT-PCR and western blot, was significantly decreased in the CF treated Chang cell. But $CCl_4$ and CF has no significant effect on 1A1 and 3A1 isoform of cytochrome P450. Based on these findings, it is suggested that hepatoprotective effects of CF possibly related to antioxidative effects and downregulation of CYP2E1 expression.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2022

As a herbal supplement, Dioscorea batatas Decne (DBD) presents potent antioxidant activity and diverse health benefits. In the present study, functions of a 30 kDa glycoprotein isolated from DBD (hereafter, DBD glycoprotein) in the regulation of feed efficiency and fecal malodor in mice were explored. DBD glycoprotein produced protective effect against cytotoxicity induced by the ecotoxicological endocrine-disrupting substance bisphenol A in gastrointestinal epithelial HT-29 cells. To investigate its potential roles in the regulation of feed efficiency and fecal malodor, mice were administered an oral injection of DBD glycoprotein for 2 weeks. Compared with the control values, the weight of internal organs (liver, heart, kidney, and spleen) and levels of glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase were not significantly changed during DBD glycoprotein administration for 2 weeks. Interestingly, DBD glycoprotein improved feed efficiency and reduced hydrogen sulfide concentration without altering the ammonia level in mouse feces. Collectively, these results indicate that DBD glycoprotein is a functional agent that exerts gastrointestinal protective effects against ecotoxicological substances, improves feed efficiency, and reduces fecal malodor.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.29-43
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of LR3 and SP6 acupuncture on liver damage of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods : Male ICR mice were divided into four groups, consisting of the normal mice group(N), acupuncture-free diabetic mice group(Con), LR3-acupuncture diabetic mice group(LR3) and SP6-acupuncture diabetic mice group(SP6). The following measurements were taken: Body weight, food intake and water intake for 2 weeks; liver weight, and glucose levels in the serum and liver; ALT and AST in the serum; reactive oxygen species(ROS), reduced glutathione(GSH) and oxidized glutathione(GSSG) in the liver; and lastly, receptor for advanced glycation endproducts( RAGE), $N{\varepsilon}-carboxymethyl$ lysine(CML), $N{\varepsilon}-carboxyethyl$ lysine(CEL), phosphorylation of inhibitory kappa B alpha($p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$), nuclear factor-kappa B($NF-{\kappa}B$), activator protein-1(AP-1), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha($TNF-{\alpha}$), ${\beta}-actin$, cytochrome c and caspase in the liver. Results : The liver weight and GSH/GSSG ratio were significantly increased in SP6 compared to Con. The glucose levels in the liver were significantly decreased in LR3 compared to Con. The generation of ROS and GSSG were significantly decreased in SP6 compared to Con. The expressions of RAGE, CML, AP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, cytochrome c and caspase 3 were significantly decreased in LR3 compared to Con. The expressions of $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, $NF-{\kappa}B$, AP-1, COX-2, iNOS and caspase 3 were significantly decreased in SP6 compared to Con. Conclusion : It is predicted that LR3 acupuncture is related to reduced glucose levels in the liver and expressions of AGE, and that, SP6 acupuncture is related to reduced oxidative stress-related transcription factors and inflammation-related proteins. Therefore, we suggest that LR3 and SP6 acupuncture have protective effects on the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by preventing apoptosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.316-324
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• 2021

Background: Korea Red Ginseng (KRG) has been used as remedies with hepato-protective effects in liver-related condition. Microbiota related gut-liver axis plays key roles in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease. We evaluated the effect of KRG on gut-liver axis in patients with nonalcoholic statohepatitis by the modulation of gut-microbiota. Methods: A total of 94 patients (KRG: 45 and placebo: 49) were prospectively randomized to receive KRG (2,000 mg/day, ginsenoside Rg1+Rb1+Rg3 4.5mg/g) or placebo during 30 days. Liver function test, cytokeraton 18, and fatigue score were measured. Gut microbiota was analyzed by MiSeq systems based on 16S rRNA genes. Results: In KRG group, the mean levels (before vs. after) of aspartate aminotransferase (53 ± 19 vs. 45 ± 23 IU/L), alanine aminotransferase (75 ± 40 vs. 64 ± 39 IU/L) and fatigue score (33 ± 13 vs. 26 ± 13) were improved (p < 0.05). In placebo group, only fatigue score (34 ± 13 vs. 31 ± 15) was ameliorated (p < 0.05). The changes of phyla were not statistically significant on both groups. In KRG group, increased abundance of Lactobacillus was related with improved alanine aminotransferase level and increased abundance of Clostridium and Intestinibacter was associated with no improvement after KRG supplementation. In placebo group, increased abundance of Lachnospiraceae could be related with aggravation of liver enzyme (p < 0.05). Conclusion: KRG effectively improved liver enzymes and fatigue score by modulating gut-microbiota in patients with fatty liver disease. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of improvement of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. ClnicalTrials.gov: NCT03945123 (www.ClinicalTrials.gov).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2014

This study investigated whether or not Citrus unshiu peel extract (CPE) affects fat accumulation in livers of rats fed an ethanol-containing liquid diet. Initially, male Sprague-Dawley rats were housed individually in stainless steel, wire-bottomed cages with free access to a Lieber-Decarli control liquid diet. Rats were divided by body weight into three groups of eight each: one group of rats was fed the Lieber-Decarli control liquid diet devoid of ethanol (control), another was fed the Lieber-Decarli ethanol diet (ethanol), and third was fed the same ethanol diet except containing CPE. All three groups were fed their respective diets for 6 weeks. Serum and liver lipids were analyzed and liver histology performed. Body weight did not differ among the groups over the 6-wk duration. Histology images showed that CPE administration significantly improved fat accumulation in livers, which was induced by ethanol diet. Serum levels of transaminases and lipids also were reduced by CPE consumption. Taken together, the results indicate that CPE may protect ethanol-induced fatty liver by lowering fat accumulation in both the liver and blood. The protective effects of CPE appear to be due to its phenolic contents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.531-536
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• 1998

To investigate effects of Angelica keiskei Koidz green juice on the liver damage of CCl4-treated tats, Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 80~100g were divided into 4 groups of control group(CON), Angelica keiskei Koidz green juice-treated group(ANJ), CCl4-treated group(CCL) and Angelica keiskei Kodiz green juice and CCl4-treated group(ACL). Each group was sacrified after feeding for 4 weeks and examined the activities of transminase (sGOT, sGPT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), and contents of lipid peroxide and glutathione in liver. The activities of sGOT and sGPT, and content of lipid peroxide after CCl4 treatment were markedly increased, compared to CON, but those levels were significantly decreased by the pretreatment of Angelica keiskei Koidz green juice as compared to CCL. The activities of SOD, catalase and GSH-Px were elevated by CCl4-treatment as compared to control group, and concomitant treatment of Angelical keiskei Koidz and CCl4 decreased those levels significantly except the activity of catalase. The hepatic content of glutathione was decreased by CCl4 and increased more abundant by Angelica keiskei Koidz administration than CCl4 treated group. These results suggest that Angelica keiskei Koidz green juice is believed to have a possible protective effect for the carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.479-491
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• 2006

Heme oxygenase (HO), the rate limiting enzyme in the breakdown of heme into carbon monoxide (CO), iron and bilirubin, has recently received overwhelming research attention. To date three mammalian HO isozymes have been identified, and the only inducible form is HO-1 while HO-2 and HO-3 are constitutively expressed. Advances in unveiling signal transduction network indicate that a battery of redox-sensitive transcription factors, such as activator protein-1 (AP-1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) and nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), and their upstream kinases including mitogen-activated protein kinases play an important regulatory role in HO-1 gene induction. The products of the HO-catalyzed reaction, particularly CO and biliverdin/bilirubin have been shown to exert protective effects in several organs against oxidative and other noxious stimuli. In this context, it is interesting to note that induction of HO-1 expression contributes to protection against liver damage induced by several chemical compounds such as acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride and heavy metals, suggesting HO-1 induction as an important cellular endeavor for hepatoprotection. The focus of this review is on the significance of targeted induction of HO-1 as a potential therapeutic strategy to protect against chemically-induced liver injury as well as hepatocarcinogenesis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.438-442
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• 2005

A series of 3-[1-(4-(2-methylpropyl) phenyl) ethyl]-1,2,4-triazole-5-thione (I) and its bicyclic condensed derivatives 6-benzylidenethiazolo[3,2-b]-1, 2,4-triazole-5(6H)-ones (IIa-IIf) were investigated for the prevention of ethanol-induced oxidative stress in liver and brain of mice. Administration of ethanol (0.1 mL/mice, p.o.) resulted in a drop of total thiol groups (T-SH) and non-protein thiol groups (NP-SH), and an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in both liver and brain tissue of mice (p<0.001). Among the compounds investigated (at a dose of 200 mg/kg, p.o.), I and IId ameliorated the peroxidative injury in these tissues effectively. Compounds IIa, IIc and IIe improved the peroxidative tissue injury only in brain. These findings suggest that certain condensed thiazolo-triazole compounds may contribute to the control of ethanol-induced oxidative stress in an organ selective manner.