Sicyos angulatus ameliorates acute liver injury by inhibiting oxidative stress via upregulation of anti-oxidant enzymes

Redox Rep. 2018 Dec;23(1):206-212. doi: 10.1080/13510002.2018.1546986.

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect of Sicyos angulatus (SA) ethanolic extracts as antioxidants and potential treatments for liver disease.

Methods: To establish a mouse model of liver injury, C57BL/6 male mice were injected via the caudal vein with a single dose of concanavalin A (Con A, 15 mg kg-1). SA extracts were administered once by oral gavage 30 min before Con A injection.

Results: In vitro studies showed that SA decreased tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. SA administration reduced plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, as well as hepatic ROS levels, in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SA increased the activities of the hepatic antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, SA treatment reduced pro-apoptotic protein levels. Con A-mediated cytosolic release of Smac/DIABLO and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), which are markers of necrosis, were dramatically decreased in HepG2 cells treated with SA.

Conclusion: SA ameliorated liver injury and might be a good strategy for the treatment of liver injury.

Keywords: Antioxidants; apoptosis; enzyme; extracts; injury; liver; oxidative stress; reactive oxygen species.

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism*
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / metabolism
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / injuries*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Loranthaceae / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • tert-Butylhydroperoxide / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Plant Extracts
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • tert-Butylhydroperoxide
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Glutathione

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the Korean government (MSIP) (2016R1A2A1A05004858), and the KRIBB Research Initiative Program of the Republic of Korea (KGS 1001814).