Hepatoprotective effect of Alhagi sparsifolia against Alcoholic Liver injury in mice

Overconsumption of alcohol leads to alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Natural compounds have been investigated previously for their hepatoprotective activities against liver injury. This study investigated the protective effect of Alhagi sparsifolia on ALD. Alcohol was administered to mice for three consecutive days; either alone or in combination with Alhagi sparsifolia extract (150, 300, 600 mg/kg). Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase as biomarkers of liver injury, the content of malonaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and glutathione which indicated the redox status of liver and the antioxidant enzyme activity of super oxide dismutase were detected, respectively. Moreover, the expression of protein cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) the key enzyme of alcohol metabolism, and also tested by western blot experiment. Subsequently, the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors including TNF- α and TLR4 was determined real-time PCR. Results showed that Alhagi sparsifolia significantly alleviated alcohol-induced liver injury by reducing serum ALT and AST, inhibiting MDA and H2O2 content, increasing SOD, and GSH level in the liver (P< 0.05). In addition, the Alhagi sparsifolia treatment inhibited the expression of CYP2E1 (P< 0.05). The results suggest that Alhagi sparsifolia could be a promising natural substance for ameliorating acute alcohol-induced oxidative stress and hepatic injury

Traditional Uyghur Medicine: Concepts, Historical Perspective, and Modernization.

Context • Traditional Uyghur medicine (TUM) is rooted in ancient Uyghur medical theory that was developed with the combined essence of different traditional medicines, such as Han Chinese, Egyptian, ancient Greek, Arabian, Persian, and Indian medicines. Modern experimental methods and technologies for disease diagnoses have accelerated the modernization of Uyghur medicine. Objective • The research team intended to compile a comprehensive introduction to TUM and to determine the current state of research in the field to establish a basis for future modernization of Uygur medicine. Design • The research team collected information from several databases-the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Wanfang Databases, and PubMed-as well as from Uyghur medical books. They also interviewed Uyghur medical scholars to ensure the authenticity of the Uyghur medical theory presented. The registry database of the China Food and Drug Administration was also used to search for and screen registered TUMs. Setting • The selection of articles and further inclusion in the review was performed in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University (Yangling, China). Results • TUM has been developed to a unique, comprehensive theoretical system with the concepts and theories for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and medication. Advancements of modern experimental methods and disease diagnoses have accelerated the modernization of Uyghur medicine. The establishments of a series of standards/regulations legalize Uyghur drug production, supervision, and management. Conclusions • The future development of Uygur medicine should begin with the standardization of planting, production, and laboratory and clinical practices to form a complete system with the support and participation of the government to realize the modernization of TUM finally worldwide. One pressing matter is a full analysis of the requirements and standards of the dominant international pharmaceutical markets as applied to natural medicinal preparations, including TUM preparations. Knowledge of the exact curative effects of Uygur medicine and the development of TUM preparations that conform to international standards would enable them to be better accepted by the mainstream market.