Cinnamomum camphora Seed Kernel Oil Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Diet‐Induced Obese Rats

Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel oil (CCSKO) was found to reduce body fat deposition and improve blood lipid in both healthy and obese rats. The study was aimed to investigate the antioxidative stress and anti‐inflammatory effects of CCSKO in high‐fat‐diet‐induced obese rats. The obese rats were treated with CCSKO, lard, and soybean oil, respectively, for 12 wk. The level of total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐6, and P65 were compared among CCSKO, lard, and soybean oil groups. Our results showed that the level of T‐AOC and activities of SOD and catalase were significantly increased and the level of MDA was significantly decreased in CCSKO group. In addition, CCSKO treatment reduced the activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamate‐pyruvate transaminase, and levels of serum TNF‐α, IL‐6, and P65 through raising the level of PPAR‐γ. In conclusion, CCSKO has, for the first time, been found to ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation in high‐fat‐diet‐induced obese rats.     

Anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous extract of Mesona procumbens in experimental mice

BACKGROUND: Mesona procumbens is consumed as a herbal drink and jelly‐type dessert in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism of anti‐inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of M. procumbens (AMP) using the λ‐carrageenin (Carr)‐induced mouse paw oedema model. The fingerprint chromatogram of AMP was obtained by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. To investigate the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of AMP, the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in paw oedema were monitored. Serum nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) were also evaluated. RESULTS: The fingerprint chromatogram from HPLC indicated that AMP contained protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid and caffeic acid. In the anti‐inflammatory test, AMP decreased paw oedema after Carr administration and increased the CAT, SOD and GPx activities and decreased the MDA level in paw oedema at 5 h after Carr injection. AMP also affected the serum NO, TNF‐α and IL‐1β levels at 5 h after Carr injection. Western blotting revealed that AMP decreased the expression of Carr‐induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). CONCLUSION: Mesona procumbens has the potential to provide a therapeutic approach to inflammation‐associated disorders. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Beneficial effect of Ficus religiosa Linn. on high-fat-diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats

Ficus religiosa Linn. (Moraceae) was evaluated as a hypolipidaemic and antioxidant agent. Ethanol and hexane leaves extracts were examined for inhibition of β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and DPPH free radical elevation. The ethanol extract was evaluated for its effect against hypercholesterolaemia in rats, compared with the standard hypolipidaemic lipanthyl. Cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), phospho and total lipids were estimated. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Administration of rats with 30 mg cholesterol five times per week for nine consecutive weeks caused a significant increase in lipid profile, MDA and SOD, while HDL-C and GSH showed significant decreases. Treatment with plant extract (500 mg/kg body weight) or lipanthyl drug (50 mg finofibrate/kg body weight) for the same duration recorded improvement in lipid profile, antioxidant levels, liver function enzymes and hepatic architecture. In conclusion, ethanol extract of F. religiosa exerted hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects.     

Anti‐inflammatory Potential of Quercetin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐(“2”‐galloyl)‐glucopyranoside and Quercetin Isolated from Diospyros kaki calyx via Suppression of MAP Signaling Molecules in LPS‐induced RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Diospyros kaki (DK) contains an abundance of flavonoids and has been used in folk medicine in Korea for centuries. Here, we report for the first time the anti‐inflammatory activities of Quercetin (QCT) and Quercetin 3‐O‐β‐(“2”‐galloyl)‐glucopyranoside (Q32G) isolated from DK. We have determine the no cytotoxicity of Q32G and QCT against RAW 264.7 cells up to concentration of 50 μM. QCT and Q32G demonstrated potent anti‐inflammatory activities by reducing expression of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6 inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2, and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPKs) in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Both QCT or Q32G could decrease cellular protein levels of COX‐2 and iNOS as well as secreted protein levels of NO, PGE₂, and cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6) in culture medium of LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Immunoblot analysis showed that QCT and Q32G suppressed LPS‐induced MAP kinase pathway proteins p‐p38, ERK, and JNK. This study revealed that QCT and Q32G have anti‐inflammatory potential, however Q32G possess comparable activity as that of QCT and could be use as adjuvant to treat inflammatory diseases.     

Effects of Graptopetalumparaguayense extract on tert‐ butylhydroperoxide‐induced oxidative stress

BACKGROUND: Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther is used in folk medicine to lower blood pressure, protect liver function and relieve pain and infection. The effect and mechanism of its 50% ethanolic extract (GE50) were investigated in tert‐butylhydroperoxide (t‐BHP)‐induced Wistar rats. The serum was analysed for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities while the tissue cytosols were analysed for lipid peroxidation, antioxidant level and enzyme activities. RESULTS: The liver was the primary target organ while the heart appeared to be the least responsive organ for t‐BHP treatment among the three tissues investigated. t‐BHP treatment increased serum AST and ALT activities, which are indicators of liver toxicity, while GE50 pretreatment reduced t‐BHP‐induced liver damage. t‐BHP treatment induced lipid peroxidation in the liver and brain but not in the heart. GE50 pretreatment prevented t‐BHP‐induced lipid peroxidation by maintaining superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as well as glutathione (GSH) and vitamin C levels in the liver and vitamin E level in the brain. Although t‐BHP treatment did not induce lipid peroxidation in the heart, it caused a decrease in antioxidant level. GE50 pretreatment prevented the t‐BHP‐induced decrease in vitamin C level in the heart. CONCLUSION: GE50 pretreatment in rats protects the liver and brain from possible damage by t‐BHP‐induced lipid peroxidation. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Anti‐inflammatory activity of rosemary extracts obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide enriched in carnosic acid and carnosol

The in vitro anti‐inflammatory activity of supercritical rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extracts (rosemary A and B) is been reported in this study. To achieve that, THP‐1 macrophages were activated using lipopolysaccharide or human ox‐LDL and secretion and gene expression of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and IL‐10 were evaluated, as well as COX‐2 gene expression. Results indicated that both rosemary extracts (A & B) exhibit high anti‐inflammatory activity although at a higher extent in case of rosemary B extract (5 μg mL^?1), representing a higher quantity of carnosic acid and carnosol than rosemary A. When comparing the activity of the extract to the standard itself, the anti‐inflammatory activity of standards of carnosic acid and carnosol was not as intense as that obtained with rosemary B. These data indicated that although carnosic acid content in the extracts is considered as the main anti‐inflammatory compound, a synergistic interaction with other compounds may play a significant role in enhancing its activity. Results provided the grounds for possible increase in the application of supercritical rosemary extracts in food formulations for mitigation or prevention of inflammatory diseases.     

The effect of selenium on antioxidant system in erythrocytes and liver of the carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The effect of selenium‐supplemented diet (sodium selenate and selenium yeast) on antioxidant in erthrocytes and liver of the carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fingerlings was studied. With this goal, the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST), as well as glutathione (GSH + GSSG) level, were determined. In the group supplemented with sodium selenate, no significant changes in the activity of the above enzymes were recorded in both the erythrocytes and in the liver, with the exception of GST activity that was significantly reduced in the plasma compared with the controls. Glutathione content was at the control level. In the group supplemented with selenium‐yeast, the activities of GSH‐Px, CAT, and SOD were significantly increased in erythrocytes, whereas GST activity and plasma content of GSH + GSSG were reduced compared with the controls. At the same time, the activities of hepatic SOD and GST were increased compared with the controls. These results demonstrate that organically bound selenium (selenium‐yeast) acts more efficiently on antioxidant system of the carp fingerlings than inorganic selenium salts.     

The probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus BFE5264 and Lactobacillus plantarum NR74 promote cholesterol efflux and suppress inflammation in THP‐1 cells

BACKGROUND: The balance between the rate of cholesterol uptake/accumulation and the rate of cholesterol efflux is reflected in the amount of lipid accumulation in macrophages. Based upon the fact that liver X receptors (LXRs) play a role in cholesterol efflux, we studied the effects of probiotics on cholesterol efflux and anti‐inflammatory action in macrophages. We confirmed changes in LXR expression by treatment of LXR‐transfected CHO‐K1 cells with lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and co‐cultured THP‐1 cells with LAB to investigate changes in cholesterol efflux and inflammation. RESULTS: The experiment with CHO‐K1 cells showed upregulation of LXR‐β by LAB. Treatment of THP‐1 cells with LAB promoted LXR expression in THP‐1, which eventually led to significant upregulation of ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression. The treatment with live LAB also significantly promoted cholesterol efflux. LAB suppressed expression of interleukin (IL)‐1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, which resulted from activation of LXR. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that Lactobacillus rhamnosus BFE5264 and Lactobacillus plantarum NR74 activated LXR and induced cholesterol efflux by promoting expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1. Both strains also suppressed proinflammatory cytokines including IL‐1β and TNF‐α. This study could account for the observation that LAB may block foam cell formation by cholesterol efflux and immune modulation. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Inhibitory effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa L extract on low‐density lipoprotein oxidation and anti‐hyperlipidemia in fructose‐fed and cholesterol‐fed rats

Hibiscus sabdariffa L extract (HSE) is an aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L flowers that is used as a local soft drink and medical herb in Taiwan. Oxidation of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) has been shown to increase the incidence of atherosclerosis. In this study, we determined the antioxidative activity of HSE on LDL oxidation by examining relative electrophoretic mobilities (REM) and thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS). The data revealed an inhibitory effect of HSE on Cu²⁺‐mediated REM and TBARS. HSE exhibited a remarkable ability to reduce cholesterol degradation and ApoB fragmentation. Overall, HSE showed a high potency to inhibit the production of oxidized LDL induced by copper and, specifically, to reduce serum triglycerides in high‐fructose diet (HFD) fed rats and serum cholesterol in high‐cholesterol diet (HCD) fed animals. The levels of LDL and the ratio of LDL‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) to HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) were reduced by HSE in both hyperlipidaemia models. Based on these findings, we suggest that HSE may be used to inhibit LDL oxidation and to prevent various types of hyperlipidaemia in HFD‐ or HCD‐fed rats. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization,Anti‐Inflammatory and Antiproliferative Activities of Natural and Sulfonated Exo‐Polysaccharides from Streptococcus thermophilus ASCC 1275

Exo‐polysaccharides (EPS) isolated from Streptococcus thermophilus ASCC 1275 were sulfated (31%). High‐performance liquid chromatography identified that EPS was composed of mannose (30.19%), galactose (20.10%), glucose (18.05%), glucosamine (16.04%), galactosamine (9.06%), glucuronic acid (3.55%), and ribose (3.01%). Pro‐/anti‐inflammatory cytokine secretion ratios (IL‐1β/IL‐10, IL‐6/IL‐10, and TNF‐α/IL‐10) of lipopolysaccharide stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages were significantly decreased by EPS and S.EPS treatments in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, anti‐inflammatory activities of S.EPS improved 49.3% and 24.0% than those of EPS before or after LPS treatment. The reactive oxygen species were inhibited by EPS and S.EPS by 49.6% and 55.1% at 50 μg/mL, respectively. Inhibition activities of S.EPS on nitric oxide production were 12.9% and 55.4% higher than those of EPS at 10 and 50 μg/mL. Additionally, S.EPS exhibited stronger antiproliferative activity on Caco‐2 and HepG2 cells. Our results indicated that anti‐inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of EPS were significantly (P < 0.01) improved by sulfonation.     

Characterization of cosmetic cream with Mesembryanthemum crystallinum plant extract: influence of formulation composition on physical stability and anti‐oxidant activity

Cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition containing superoxide dismutase (SOD) was usually used in topical administration, particularly, in fighting against skin ageing and in the protection of the skin against radiation exposure. Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is a halophyte plant widely used in the traditional medicine, characterized by the presence of anti‐oxidants enzymes in responses to abiotic stresses. In the present study, we prepared a formulation with M. crystallinum extract characterized by naturally occurring SOD and catalase in association with other anti‐oxidants molecules. The SOD activity was measured by 3‐(4,5‐dimethyldiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐tetrazolium bromide/riboflavin method, catalase by colorimetric method and the total anti‐radical activity was measured by 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) method. Formulations contain a significant SOD activity (8.33 U mg^?1), a catalase activity (0.5 × 10⁷ UC) and an anti‐radical activity (30% of DPPH inhibition). The formulation storage (15 days at 4°C) showed a marked loss of total anti‐oxidant capacity. The addition of the M. crystallinum extract induced also a reduction in formulation viscosity and pH.     

Antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant effects of Chaenomeles sinensis fruit extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The rising incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is alarming and becoming a major health problem worldwide, which is mainly associated with hyperglycemia, abnormal lipid, and antioxidant profiles. Herbal medicines are being used by about 80% of the world population primarily in the developing countries for primary health care, including DM. Based on these facts, in this study, the antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant properties of Chaenomeles sinensis fruits extract (CSFE) were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced (55 mg/kg body weight) diabetic rats. CSFE was found to be rich in total phenolics and flavonoid contents. The following assays were performed: fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin (Hb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum total cholesterol (TC), serum triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase/alanine aminotransferase (SGPT/ALT), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase/aspartate aminotransaminase (SGOT/AST), liver glycogen content and superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) contents in liver and kidney. Oral administration of CSFE (500 mg/kg body weight) significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, BUN, and serum TC, TG, LDL-C, SGPT/ALT, and SGOT/AST, while it increased blood Hb content and HDL-C in diabetic rats. Furthermore, CSFE treatment significantly increased liver glycogen content, SOD, GSH, and CAT levels in diabetic rats. The results showed that CSFE significantly inhibited the progression of diabetes induced by STZ, and the inhibitory effect of CSFE on diabetes might be associated with its hypoglycemic effect, modulation of lipid metabolism, and its ability to scavenge free radicals.     

Characterisation of phenols and antioxidant and hypolipidaemic activities of Lethariella cladonioides

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and hypolipidaemic activities of an ethanol extract of Lethariella cladonioides (Nyl.) Krog (EE) and to characterise its chemical constituents. RESULTS: Nine phenols were identified as canarione, thamnolic acid, squamatic acid, vermicularin, norstictic acid, baeomycesis acid, lecanoric acid, barbatinic acid and usnic acid from analysis of EE by using high‐performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector‐mass spectrometry. In antioxidant analysis in vitro, the highest scavenging rate of EEs on the 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide was 81.55 ± 1.95%, 81.84 ± 4.00%, 74.28 ± 3.71% and 74.28 ± 3.71%, respectively. Meanwhile, after administration of EE for 6 weeks in high fat/cholesterol diet mice, the most significant reduction in levels of serum triglyceride, serum total cholesterol, serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol and liver malondialdehyde were 24%, 20%, 15% and 35%, respectively. The most significant increase in levels of serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol and liver superoxide dismutase was 35% and 88%, respectively. CONCLUSION: L. cladonioides possesses strong antioxidant and hypolipidaemic activities. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Rosemary Extract‐Mediated Lifespan Extension and Attenuated Oxidative Damage in Drosophila melanogaster Fed on High‐Fat Diet

Rosemary extract has a potent antioxidant activity and is widely used in the food industry. In this study, the lifespan prolonging and antioxidant activity of rosemary extract was evaluated by high‐fat‐induced oxidative damage in Drosophila melanogaster. The results revealed that the lifespan and climbing ability of fruit flies was enhanced significantly by feeding rosemary extract. Furthermore, feeding with rosemary extract significantly increased the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and significantly decreased the level of malonaldehyde. The gene expression of SOD, CAT, and nuclear factor erythroid‐2 related factor 2 was enhanced and that for methuselah was significantly reduced. The comet assay showed that high‐fat diet‐induced DNA lesion was significantly reduced in larvae treated with the rosemary extract. Our results suggest that feeding with rosemary extract is effective to the extended lifespan in fruit flies by strengthening of the resistance to high‐fat‐induced oxidative stress and by stimulating, at least in part, the endogenous antioxidant response.     

Preventive effect of Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY02 isolated from naturally fermented yogurt from Xinjiang,China, on d-galactose–induced oxidative aging in mice

Yogurt from Xinjiang, China, is a traditional and naturally fermented food, and abundant microorganisms are produced during its fermentation process. In this study, we carried out in vivo animal experiments to explore the effect of a newly isolated lactic acid bacterial strain, Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY02 (LP-KSFY02), on oxidative aging. We used d-galactose to induce oxidative aging in mice and analyzed the serum and tissues of those mice using molecular biology detection methods. The results showed that LP-KSFY02 could inhibit the decreases in the thymic, cerebral, cardiac, liver, spleen, and kidney indices of mice caused by oxidative aging. The LP-KSFY02 strain increased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione (GSH) and reduced levels of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde in the serum, liver, and spleen of the oxidative aging mice. Pathological observation demonstrated that LP-KSFY02 alleviated damage to the liver and spleen of oxidative aging mice. Quantitative PCR showed that LP-KSFY02 effectively upregulated mRNA expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (Nos1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (Nos3), copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Sod1), manganese superoxide dismutase (Sod2), catalase (Cat), heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox1), nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nfe2l2), γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (Gclm), and quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) in mouse liver and spleen and downregulated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (Nos2). Western blot analysis revealed that LP-KSFY02 effectively upregulated protein expression of SOD1, SOD2, CAT, GSH1, and GSH2 in mouse liver and spleen tissues. Therefore, LP-KSFY02 can effectively prevent d-galactose–induced oxidative aging in mice. Its efficacy was superior to that of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (LDSB) and vitamin C, which are commonly used in the medical field as antioxidants. Thus, LP-KSFY02 is a high-quality strain with probiotic potential.     

Anti‐inflammatory properties of high pressure‐assisted extracts of Grifola frondosa in lipopolysaccharide‐activated RAW 264.7 macrophages

The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro anti‐inflammatory properties of the shake extract (SE) and the high pressure‐assisted extract (PE) of the mycelia of Grifola frondosa in a lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage model. The content of total polysaccharides and β‐glucans of PE at 600 MPa (PE‐600) was 41.2 and 6.2 mg g^?1 dry weight, respectively, which were significantly higher than SE extracts. The results showed that treatment with 500 μg mL^?1 of PE by 600 MPa (PE‐600) did not reduce RAW 264.7 cell viability but did significantly inhibit the production of LPS‐induced NO, PGE₂ and intracellular ROS. The PE‐600 inhibited the activation of NF‐kB and then reduced the production of LPS‐induced TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β in a dose‐dependent manner. Thus, the PE could be used as an alternative extraction method for improving the extraction efficacy of G. frondosa and serve as an alternative source of anti‐inflammatory agents.     

苦菜茶总黄酮对小鼠酒精性脂肪肝的保护作用

探讨苦菜茶总黄酮对小鼠慢性酒精性脂肪肝的保护作用。采用酒精灌胃小鼠,建立慢性酒精性脂肪肝模型。通过不同剂量苦菜茶总黄酮灌胃12 周后,测定小鼠体质量、肝脏质量,血清谷丙转氨酶（alanineaminotransferase,ALT）、谷草转氨酶（aspartate transaminase,AST）活力,甘油三酯（triglyceride,TG）、总胆固醇（total cholesterol,TC）含量,肝脏丙二醛（malondialdehyde,MDA）、谷胱甘肽（glutathione,GSH）含量和超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD）活力,以及白细胞介素-1β（interleukin-1β,IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α）含量;观察肝脏病理变化。结果表明,与模型组比较,苦菜茶总黄酮剂量组血清ALT、AST活力和TG、TC含量,肝脏MDA、IL-1β、TNF-α含量都不同程度地降低,肝脏SOD活力,GSH含量则有所上升,肝脏肿大有一定程度的减轻,说明苦菜总黄酮对慢性酒精性脂肪肝小鼠的肝脏有一定的保护作用。     

霍山石斛不同提取物抗小鼠亚急性酒精性肝损伤活性的比较研究

目的：比较霍山石斛不同提取物抗小鼠亚急性酒精性肝损伤的活性。方法：制备霍山石斛冷冻干燥物、水提物、水提醇溶物、水提醇沉物、水提粗多糖5 种提取物;以连续灌胃30%乙醇的小鼠为亚急性酒精性肝损伤模型,以霍山石斛不同提取物连续灌胃30 d后,称量小鼠体质量及肝质量,测定血清中谷丙转氨酶（alanineaminotransferase,ALT）、谷草转氨酶（aspartate aminotransferase,AST）、碱性磷酸酶（alkaline phosphatase,ALP）活性,以及总胆固醇（total cholesterol,TC）、甘油三酯（triglyceride,TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol,HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（low density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL-C）含量,同时测定肝脏中乙醇脱氢酶（alcohol dehydrogenase,ADH）、乙醛脱氢酶（acetaldehyde dehydrogenase,ALDH）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（glutathione peroxidase,GSH-Px）、超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD）活性,丙二醛（malondialdehyde,MDA）、谷胱甘肽（glutathione,GSH）水平,并检查肝组织损伤病理变化。结果：霍山石斛水提醇溶物抗亚急性酒精性肝损伤的活性最差,醇沉物、水提物、冷冻干燥物具有一定的肝损伤保护活性,水提粗多糖各个剂量组均可显著改善肝脏组织损伤和脂肪变性（P＜0.05）,降低血清ALT、AST、ALP活性和LDL-C、TC、TG水平,提高血清HDL-C含量,增强肝组织ADH、ALDH、SOD、GSH-Px活性,减少肝组织GSH损耗并抑制肝组织MDA含量增加。结论：多糖是霍山石斛抗小鼠亚急性酒精性肝损伤的功能因子。     

Hepatoprotective Effects of the Honey of Apis cerana Fabricius on Bromobenzene‐Induced Liver Damage in Mice

Apis cerana honey (honey of Apis cerana Fabricius), widely distributed in the mountain areas of East Asia, has not been studied fully. The hepatoprotective activity of A. cerana honey was evaluated against bromobenzene‐induced liver damage in mice. In high dose, A. cerana honey can significantly alleviate liver injury, as is indicated by the depressed levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (59.13%) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (79.71%), the inhibited malondialdehyde (MDA) content (63.30%), the elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (73.12%) and glutathione‐Px (57.24%), and the decreased expression of Transforming growth factor β1 (51.83%) induced by bromobenzene (P < 0.05). The quantitative analysis of twelve major constituents (1 to 12) of A. cerana honey was executed by high performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detector. The results indicate that treatment with A. cerana honey can prevent bromobenzene‐induced hepatic damage in mice. Polyphenols might be the bioactive substances attributed to its antioxidant properties and intervention of oxidative stress.     

Hypolipidaemic and hepatoprotective effects of ethanolic and aqueous extracts from Asparagus officinalis L. by‐products in mice fed a high‐fat diet

BACKGROUND: Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) by‐products, i.e. the parts of the spears discarded during industrial processing, might have potential use as food supplements for their therapeutic effects. In this study the hypolipidaemic and hepatoprotective effects of ethanolic (EEA) and aqueous (AEA) extracts from asparagus by‐products were evaluated in mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). RESULTS: Continuous HFD feeding caused obvious hyperlipidaemia and liver damage in mice. However, both EEA and AEA significantly decreased the levels of body weight gain, serum total cholesterol and serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in hyperlipidaemic mice when administered at a daily dose of 200 mg kg^?1 for 8 weeks. Also, serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were evidently increased in the AEA‐treated group. Moreover, both EEA and AEA dramatically decreased the activities of alanine and aspartate transaminases in serum. Finally, superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant capacity were increased and malondialdehyde level and the distribution of lipid droplets decreased in liver cells of both EEA‐ and AEA‐treated mice. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that both EEA and AEA have strong hypolipidaemic and hepatoprotective properties and could be used as supplements in healthcare foods and drugs or in combination with other hypolipidaemic drugs. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry