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Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Alnus japonica extracts on acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats
Author(s) -
Kim Sang Tae,
Kim Jung Do,
Ahn Seung Hee,
Ahn Gu Seok,
Lee Young Ik,
Jeong Yoong Seok
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.1540
Subject(s) - antioxidant , hepatoprotection , pharmacology , traditional medicine , lipid peroxidation , catalase , superoxide dismutase , chemistry , liver injury , acetaminophen , cytotoxicity , toxicity , hepatotoxin , biochemistry , medicine , in vitro , glutathione , enzyme , organic chemistry
Abstract The stem bark of the Betulaceae plant Alnus japonica , which is indigenous to Korea, has been used as a popular folk medicine for hepatitis and cancer. In this study, the antioxidant activity of the crude extract and the hepatoprotective activities on acetaminophen (AAP)‐induced toxicity in the rat liver were evaluated. We investigated the effect of the methanol (AJM) and solvent fracton of the stem bark of Alnus japonica (AJ) on AAP‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats. In rat hepatocyte culture, pretreatment with AJM (50, 100, 150 and 200 µg[sol ]ml) significantly decreased the cytotoxicity of AAP in a dose‐dependent manner. The pretreated with EtOAc and BuOH fraction led to an increase in free radical scavenging activity and a decrease in inhibition of lipid peroxidation, both superoxide dismutase and catalase prevent the hepatotoxicity by AAP in the treatment of A. japonica fraction. We conclude that AJ is an important antioxidant in AAP‐induced live hepatotoxicity and that extract of AJM plays a hepatoprotective effects in the against AAP‐induced cytotoxicity in cultured rat hepatocytes in vitro. Pending more evaluation for safety and efficacy, AJ can potentially be used in mitigating AAP‐induced hepatotoxicity. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.