Echinacea alkamides prevent lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute hepatic injury through JNK pathway-mediated HO-1 expression

J Agric Food Chem. 2011 Nov 23;59(22):11966-74. doi: 10.1021/jf202958r. Epub 2011 Oct 25.

Abstract

This study aimed to shed light on the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effect of the major alkamides dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10Z(E)-tetraenoic acid isobutylamides (Alk-8/9), isolated from Echinacea purpurea roots, against acute fulminant hepatitis induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN) in mice. The results show that Alk-8/9 dose-dependently induced heme oxygenase (HO)-1 protein expression in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages that was likely regulated by the JNK-mediated pathway through increasing SAPK/JNK phosphorylation, c-jun protein expression, and phosphorylation, and transcription factor AP-1 binding consensus DNA activity. The HO-1 inhibitor or CO scavenger significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of Alk-8/9 on TNF-α expression, whereas N-acetyl-L-cysteine was observed to reduce Alk-8/9-induced HO-1 expression in LPS-treated macrophages. Furthermore, Alk-8/9 markedly induced c-jun and HO-1 protein expression and suppressed serum aminotransferase activities, TNF-α expression, and hepatocyte damage in liver tissues of LPS/d-GalN-treated mice. This paper suggests a new application of Echinacea, a top-selling herbal supplement, as a hepatoprotective agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Echinacea / chemistry*
  • Galactosamine / adverse effects
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / genetics*
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / metabolism
  • Hepatitis / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis / enzymology
  • Hepatitis / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Lipopolysaccharides / adverse effects
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / injuries
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • Galactosamine
  • Heme Oxygenase-1
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4