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Protective effects and possible mechanisms of Centella asiatica (L.) urban extract against acute and chronic liver injury: Evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies
Author(s) -
Lu Jiabin,
Chen Chao,
Gai Renhua,
Qiu Huacheng,
Wu Yue,
He Qiaojun,
Yang Xiaochun
Publication year - 2021
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.7024
Subject(s) - centella , in vivo , in vitro , pharmacology , pharmacognosy , liver injury , traditional medicine , phytotherapy , medicine , chemistry , biology , biological activity , biochemistry , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , alternative medicine
Drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) has become a significant health care problem worldwide. Centella asiatica (L.) urban was traditionally used to prevent or treat various diseases, yet whether it works on hepatic injury remains unclear. In this study, multiple experimental models with different damage degrees and types of liver injury have been established to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of an n‐butanol extract of Centella asiatica (CA‐BU). Our results revealed that CA‐BU improved hepatocyte L02 cells survival from H 2 O 2 ‐induced oxidative damage in a concentration‐dependent manner. We further verified the hepatoprotective effects of CA‐BU in mice models of acetaminophen‐induced acute liver injury (one of the most common DILIs clinically) and CCl 4 ‐induced acute chemical liver injury, and a rat model of chronic alcoholic steatohepatitis. Furthermore, network pharmacology approaches were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms, and we predicted AKT1, EGFR, VEGFA, and STAT3 as the potential therapeutic targets. In follow‐up studies, we will focus on targets verification and provide a deeper insight into the mechanisms of CA‐BU against liver damage. Finally, we hope that these findings will provide new ideas and insights for the treatment of acute or chronic liver injury in the clinic.