Hepatoprotective effect of Cassia obtusifolia seed extract and constituents against oxidative damage induced by tert‐butyl hydroperoxide in human hepatic HepG2 cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of different soluble fractions of methanolic derived Cassia obtusifolia seeds extract (COE) and its active components in tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BHP)‐induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Among the tested fractions, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction was the most active hepatoprotective fraction. From the active EtOAc fraction, six anthraquinones (alaternin, emodin, aloe emodin, 2‐hydroxyemodin 1‐methyl ether, chryso‐obtusin‐2‐O‐β‐d ‐glucoside, and questin) and one naphthopyrone glycoside (cassiaside) were isolated. The cytotoxic effect in 200 µM t‐BHP‐induced HepG2 cells was inhibited by COE and their bioactive compounds. The protective effect of COE in 200 µM t‐BHP‐induced HepG2 cells may be associated with positive regulation of glutathione (GSH) and decreased in reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation of their bioactive compounds. The increased ROS and decreased GSH levels observed in t‐BHP‐treated HepG2 cells were ameliorated by pretreatment with cassiaside, alaternin, and aloe emodin, indicating that the hepatoprotective effects of these major constituents are mediated by induction of cellular defense against oxidative stress. Overall, COE displayed a significant cytoprotective effect against oxidative stress, which may most likely be because of active compounds like cassiaside, alaternin, and aloe emodin in COE, which leads to maintenance of the normal redox status of cells.

Practical applications

The dried and roasted seeds of Cassia obtusifolia are commonly consumed as brew tea and medicinal foods in Korea. The seeds have multiple therapeutic actions related to the treatment of liver disease, dementia, diabetes, eye inflammation, photophobia and lacrimation, dysentery, headache, as well as dizziness. The present study demonstrates the hepatoprotective effect through prevention of oxidative stress, suggesting that C. obtusifolia and its constituents may have beneficial effects in preventing hepatic diseases.