Rhus chinensis Mill. Fruits Ameliorate Hepatic Glycolipid Metabolism Disorder in Rats Induced by High Fat/High Sugar Diet.

Hepatic glycolipid metabolism disorder is considered as one of the key factors in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanisms of Rhus chinensis Mill. fruits against hepatic glycolipid metabolic disorders in rats induced by a high fat/high sugar diet. Results showed that ethanol extract, especially at a dose of 600 mg/kg b.w., could effectively ameliorate glycolipid metabolic disorders in rats. The biochemical indexes, including CAT, GSH and HOMA-IR, were significantly improved by the administration of ethanol extract. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis revealed that ethanol extract up-regulated the expression levels of PI3K/AKT, PPAR-α, and the phosphorylation of IRS1 and AMPK proteins, and down-regulated the expressions of SREBP-1 and FAS proteins in the liver, which are closely related to hepatic glycolipid metabolism. Those findings suggested that R. chinensis Mill. fruits could be developed as functional foods and/or nutraceuticals for preventing or controlling some chronic diseases related to hepatic glycolipid metabolism disorder.

The preventive effect of phenolic-rich extracts from Chinese sumac fruits against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in rats induced by a high-fat diet.

The objective of this study is to investigate the preventive effect of phenolic-rich extracts from Chinese sumac (Rhus chinensis Mill.) fruits against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats induced by a high-fat diet and to clarify the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that the phenolic-rich extract remarkably improved some critical biochemical indexes, including TG, TC, MDA, ALT, AST, and endogenous antioxidant enzymes. The results of immunofluorescence and TUNEL assay showed that the extract obviously reduced the level of NF-κB in cell nuclei and suppressed hepatocyte apoptosis. Moreover, immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses further revealed that the phenolic-rich extract can improve NAFLD in high-fat diet induced rats by regulating several key proteins related to lipid metabolism, inflammation and apoptosis of hepatocytes, namely upregulating the expression levels of p-AMPK, PPAR-α, CPT1 and Bcl-2, and downregulating the levels of PPAR-γ, CYP2E1, p-P38, p-NF-κB, iNOS, COX-2, caspase-3D and Bax. These results indicate that the phenolic-rich extract from Chinese sumac fruits could prevent NAFLD in rats by regulating some critical proteins in several signalling pathways and may be provided as a new natural ingredient for developing functional foods and/or nutraceuticals to prevent NAFLD.

Acute and subacute toxicity evaluation of ethanol extract from aerial parts of Epigynum auritum in mice.

Acute and subacute toxicities of the ethanol extract from Epigynum auritum (EAE) wereperformed by oral administration in pathogen-free mice. Acute toxicity study was performed at a single dose of 5000 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days, while subacute toxicity test was conducted by daily oral administration of EAE at doses of 312, 625, 1250, and 2500 mg/kg for 28 days. Acute toxicity study showed that LD50 of EAE was over 5000 mg/kg. The results of subacute toxicity showed no significant adverse effect of EAE at 312 mg/kg. Moreover, EAE exhibited toxicities to liver, spleen and kidney in mice determined by hematological, serum biochemical and histological analyses during daily oral administration of 1250 mg/kg and 2500 mg/kg EAE. The results revealed that the dose of EAE lower than 625 mg/kg can be regarded as safe.

Acute and subchronic toxicities of the ethanol and hot-water extracts from Chinese sumac (Rhus chinensis Mill.) fruits by oral administration in rats.

In the present work, acute and subchronic toxicities of the ethanol and hot-water extracts from Rhus chinensis Mill. fruits were performed by oral administration in pathogen-free SD rats. Acute toxicity study was performed at a single dose of 5000 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days. And subchronic toxicity test was conducted by daily oral administration of those two extracts at doses of 312, 625, 1250 and 2500 mg/kg for 30 days. Acute toxicity study showed that the LD50 of the ethanol and hot-water extracts were over 5000 mg /kg. The results of subchronic toxicity showed that no significant adverse effect of those two extracts was observed at 312 and 625 mg/kg. However, the weight gains of rats were significantly inhibited at both 2500 mg/kg groups of the ethanol and hot-water extracts. Moreover, those two extracts exhibited toxicities to heart, liver, spleen and kidney in rats determined by hematological, serum biochemical and/or histological analyses when daily oral administration of 1250 mg/kg and 2500 mg/kg. No significant neurotoxicity was observed in all groups. The results concluded that the low concentration of those two extracts from R. chinensis Mill. fruits can be regarded as safe and used in daily life.