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Improvement of lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatic injuries and inflammation with mulberry extracts
Ting-Tsz Ou1, Chih-Yi Kuo, Charng-Cherng Chyau
1Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, and Department of Clinical laboratory, Tai-An Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
Background:
Mulberry water extracts (MWEs), which contain polyphenols including anthocyanins, have been used in traditional Chinese edible food. The hepatoprotective effects and molecular mechanisms of MWEs on acute liver failure induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were investigated in vivo.
Results:
Rats were administered different doses of MWEs (0.5 and 1 g kg(-1)) 1 h before injection of LPS (5 mg kg(-1)) and then sacrificed 10 h after treatment with LPS. Liver function, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress index and hepatic histopathological alteration were examined in the rats with and without MWE treatment. Pretreatment with MWEs prevented LPS-induced liver damage by preventing associated increases of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), triglycerol (TG), cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio. MWEs also suppressed oxidative stress to prevent the formation of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, the molecular mechanism involved in LPS-induced liver injury was associated with reducing the expression of COX-2, NF-κB and iNOS in liver tissues.
Conclusion:
The results support the investigation of MWEs as a therapeutic candidate for liver injuries and indicate that MWEs exhibit hepatoprotective activities via NF-κB signaling.
Insights
Mulberry water extracts (MWEs) protect against liver injury by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. These findings suggest MWEs are a promising therapeutic candidate for liver damage.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Mulberry water extracts (MWEs), rich in polyphenols like anthocyanins, are traditional edible foods.
- Acute liver failure can be induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hepatoprotective effects of MWEs against LPS-induced acute liver failure.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying MWEs' protective actions.
Main Methods:
- Rats were pretreated with MWEs (0.5 and 1 g/kg) one hour before LPS injection (5 mg/kg).
- Liver function, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, and hepatic histopathology were assessed 10 hours post-LPS.
- Expression of COX-2, NF-κB, and iNOS in liver tissues was analyzed.
Main Results:
- MWE pretreatment prevented LPS-induced increases in liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALKP), lipids (triglycerol, cholesterol), and LDL/HDL ratio.
- MWEs suppressed oxidative stress, indicated by reduced hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) formation.
- MWEs significantly reduced the expression of COX-2, NF-κB, and iNOS in liver tissues.
Conclusions:
- MWEs demonstrate significant hepatoprotective activity against LPS-induced liver injury.
- The protective effects are mediated through the suppression of inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, particularly involving NF-κB signaling.
- MWEs represent a potential therapeutic candidate for treating liver injuries.