Protective effect of daidzin against d ‐galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide‐induced hepatic failure in mice

This study examined the effects of daidzin, a major isoflavone from Puerariae Radix, on d ‐galactosamine ( d ‐GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced liver failure. Mice were given an intraperitoneal injection of daidzin (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) 1 h before receiving an injection of d ‐GalN (700 mg/kg)/LPS (10 µg/kg). Daidzin markedly reduced the elevated serum aminotransferase activity and the levels of lipid peroxidation and tumor necrosis factor‐ α . The glutathione content was lower in the d ‐GalN/LPS group, which was attenuated by daidzin. The daidzin pretreatment attenuated the swollen mitochondria observed in the d ‐GalN/LPS group. Daidzin attenuated the apoptosis of hepatocytes, which was confirmed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling method and a caspase‐3 assay. Overall, these results suggest that the liver protection of daidzin is due to reduced oxidative stress and its antiapoptotic activity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.