Hepatoprotective effects of lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.): A combination of antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities

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• 作者：Lertlakana Bhoopat^a ; ^{lbhoopat@med.cmu.ac.th"" rel=""nofollow} ; Somdet Srichairatanakool^b ; Duangta Kanjanapothi^c ; Tawat Taesotikul^c ; Hathairat Thananchai^d ; Tanin Bhoopat^e
• 关键词：Antioxidant ; Apoptosis ; Hepatoprotective ; Polyphenol ; Litchi chinensis Sonn. ; Sapindaceae
• 刊名：Journal of Ethnopharmacology
• 出版年：2011
• 出版时间：14 June 2011
• 年：2011
• 卷：136
• 期：1
• 页码：55-66
• 全文大小：1438 K

文摘

Aim of the study

Gimjeng and Chakapat lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity on CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Materials and methods

Fruit pulp extracts of the lychees were examined for vitamin C, phenolic contents, anti-lipid peroxidation activity and hepatoprotective effect. Male Wistar albino rats were intraperitoneally injected (ip) with CCl₄ (2 ml/kg), then were orally administered (po) with silymarin (100 mg/kg), and Gimjeng or Chakapat extracts (100 and 500 mg/kg). After ten days, the rats were sacrificed and their livers were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Their serum glutamate–pyruvate transaminase, glutamate–oxalate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were analyzed. Apoptotic activity of the livers was assessed quantitatively.

Results

The Gimjeng and Chakapat extracts showed the contents of vitamin C (1.2 ± 0.6 and 4.3 ± 0.1 mg/100 g) and phenolics like trans-cinnamic acid and pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside (9.80 ± 0.21 and 19.56 ± 0.4 mg GAE/g extract, respectively), and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) values (11.64 and 9.09 g/mg trolox), respectively. The Gimjeng as compared to the Chakapat demonstrated a better antioxidant activity as revealed by anti-lipid peroxidation activity with the TEAC values. Administration of CCl₄ in rats elevated the serum GPT, GOT, and ALP level whereas silymarin, Gimjeng and Chakapat extracts prevented these increases significantly. Significant decrease of apoptotic cells together with restoration of morphological changes confirmed the hepatoprotective effect in the CCl₄-induced rats pretreated with the extracts.

Conclusion

Antioxidant properties of the Gimjeng and Chakapat lychees as evidenced by the vitamin C and phenolic compounds, anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-apoptosis could explain the hepatoprotective effects in CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity.