Synergistic effects of trans-p-coumaric acid isolated from the ethanol extract of Gynura procumbens in promoting intestinal absorption of chlorogenic acid and reversing alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Our previous studies found that the ethanol extract of Gynura procumbens (EEGS) reduced hepatic steatosis in alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD).

Aim of the study: To explore the active ingredients from EEGS and their relevant mechanism of action in alleviating alcoholic liver injuries.

Aim of the study: To explore the active ingredients from EEGS and their intestinal absorption characteristics as an approach for understanding mechanism of action in alleviating alcoholic liver injuries.

Materials and methods: Monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), chemical constituents from the prepared EEGS were isolated by means of solvent extraction, repeated column chromatography, preparative HPLC and other methods, and their structures were identified based on spectroscopic methods. The in vivo intestinal absorption rate of chlorogenic acid (CA), the active component of the EEGS, both in a single form and in the EEGS were monitored by the single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) method in rats. The protective effect of EEGS and its active components on alcoholic liver injuries was evaluated in the alcoholic liver injury model of C57BL/6J male mice induced by Lieber-DeCarli alcohol liquid feed.

Results: Three noncaffeoyl quinic acid components were isolated and identified from the EEGS, namely, 3-trans-p-coumaroyl quinic acid (0.9%), 3-cis-p-coumaroyl quinic acid (2.7%), and trans-p-coumaric acid (0.6%). In vivo intestinal absorption of CA decreased with the increase of pH value of perfusion solution in the range of 5.5-7.8. The maximum absorption percentage of CA alone was 6.7 ± 2.4%, while the maximum absorption percentage of CA in the EEGS was 16.0 ± 2.2%, which was 2.4 times higher than that of CA alone. The results of animal experiments showed that the degree of fatty liver of mice treated with EEGS was significantly lower than that of the CA, trans-p-coumaric acid, and the combination group of CA and trans-p-coumaric acid alone.

Conclusion: The above results indicated that trans-p-coumaric acid isolated from the dried stems of Gynura procumbens assisted CA being absorbed into the body and worked together with CA to improve the function of liver lipid metabolism, reduce hepatic lipid accumulation in a mouse model of AFLD and effectively counteract alcohol-induced fatty liver disease.

Keywords: Alcoholic fatty liver disease; Chlorogenic acid; Gynura procumbens; Single-pass intestinal perfusion; Trans-p-coumaric acid.