[Research progress on chemical constituents from Kadsura genus and its pharmacological activities and clinical application].

The 29 plant species in the Kadsura genus of the Schisandraceae family are mainly distributed in eastern and southeas-tern Asia. Ten species of plants in this genus are distributed in China, some of which are folk medicinal plants with activating blood circulation, relieving pain, dispelling wind, and dehumidifying effects. Their main constituents are lignans and triterpenes. The current pharmacology and clinical studies have shown that their extracts and constituents have anti-rheumatoid arthritis, liver protection, antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, and other biological activities. The rheumatologic and liver diseases can also be treated with the plants in the clinic. The new chemical constituents reported in the last decade(2012 to date) from the plants of Kadsura genus in China, as well as their pharmacological effects and clinical applications in recent years were reviewed, so as to provide a theoretical basis for further research on the genus.

A Novel Drug with Potential to Treat Hyperbilirubinemia and Prevent Liver Damage Induced by Hyperbilirubinemia: Carbon Dots Derived from Platycodon grandiflorum.

Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) is a traditional Chinese medicine with a long history, but its active compounds have not been reported. In this study, novel carbon dots (CDs), PG-based CDs (PGC-CDs), were discovered and prepared from PG via calcinations and characterized by transmission electron microscopy; high-resolution transmission electron microscopy; X-ray diffraction, fluorescence, ultraviolet-visible, and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometers; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; and high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, the safety and antioxidant activity of PGC-CDs was evaluated by RAW264.7 cells and LO2 cells. The therapeutic effects of PGC-CDs on hyperbilirubinemia and liver protection were evaluated in a bilirubin-induced hyperbilirubinemia mice model. The experiment confirmed that the diameter range of PGC-CDs was from 1.2 to 3.6 nm. PGC-CDs had no toxicity to RAW264.7 cells and LO2 cells at a concentration of 3.91 to 1000 µg/mL and could reduce the oxidative damage of cells caused by H2O2. PGC-CDs could inhibit the increase levels of bilirubin and inflammation factors and increase the levels of antioxidants and survival rate, demonstrating that PGC-CDs possessed anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation activity. PGC-CDs may reduce the content of bilirubin, so as to reduce a series of pathological lesions caused by bilirubin, which has potential in treating hyperbilirubinemia and preventing liver damage induced by hyperbilirubinemia.

[Current status and treatment strategies for liver injury before targeted immunotherapy for liver cancer].

The occurrence rate of primary liver cancer in malignant tumors ranks sixth in the world, and the mortality rate ranks third, with a poor prognosis and a five-year survival rate of less than 5%. Most patients with liver cancer in China are found to be in the intermediate and advanced stages, and a targeted immunotherapy combination has become the main treatment option. However, many patients have underlying liver lesions, and their liver function cannot meet the requirements of targeted immunotherapy, which directly affects the treatment of liver cancer patients. Therefore, it is very important to optimize the patient's liver function in a timely manner so as to obtain the opportunity for anti-tumor therapy. This article reviews the current status and response strategies before liver injury related to targeted immune therapy in patients with primary liver cancer.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of liver regeneration: Proliferation, growth, death and protection of hepatocytes.

Liver regeneration is an important and necessary process that the liver depends on for recovery from injury. The regeneration process consists of a complex network of cells and organs, including liver cells (parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells) and extrahepatic organs (thyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, duodenum, spleen, and autonomic nervous system). The regeneration process of a normal, healthy liver depends mainly on hepatocyte proliferation, growth, and programmed cell death. Cell proliferation and growth are regulated in a cooperative manner by interleukin (IL)-6/janus kinase (Jak)/signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 (STAT3), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K)/phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1)/Akt pathways. The IL-6/Jak/STAT3 pathway regulates hepatocyte proliferation and protects against cell death and oxidative stress. The PI3-K/PDK1/Akt pathway is primarily responsible for the regulation of cell size, sending mitotic signals in addition to pro-survival, antiapoptotic and antioxidative signals. Though programmed cell death may interfere with liver regeneration in a pathological situation, it seems to play an important role during the termination phase, even in a normal, healthy liver regeneration. However, further study is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms regulating the processes of liver regeneration with regard to cell-to-cell and organ-to-organ networks at the molecular and cellular levels.

Anthocyanins: Traditional Uses, Structural and Functional Variations, Approaches to Increase Yields and Products' Quality, Hepatoprotection, Liver Longevity, and Commercial Products.

Anthocyanins are water-soluble, colored compounds of the flavonoid class, abundantly found in the fruits, leaves, roots, and other parts of the plants. The fruit berries are prime sources and exhibit different colors. The anthocyanins utility as traditional medicament for liver protection and cure, and importance as strongest plants-based anti-oxidants have conferred these plants products different biological activities. These activities include anti-inflammation, liver protective, analgesic, and anti-cancers, which have provided the anthocyanins an immense commercial value, and has impelled their chemistry, biological activity, isolation, and quality investigations as prime focus. Methods in extraction and production of anthocyanin-based products have assumed vital economic importance. Different extraction techniques in aquatic solvents mixtures, eutectic solvents, and other chemically reactive extractions including low acid concentrations-based extractions have been developed. The prophylactic and curative therapy roles of the anthocyanins, together with no reported toxicity has offered much-needed impetus and economic benefits to these classes of compounds which are commercially available. Information retrieval from various search engines, including the PubMed®, ScienceDirect®, Scopus®, and Google Scholar®, were used in the review preparation. This imparted an outlook on the anthocyanins occurrence, roles in plants, isolation-extraction, structures, biosynthetic as well as semi- and total-synthetic pathways, product quality and yields enhancements, including uses as part of traditional medicines, and uses in liver disorders, prophylactic and therapeutic applications in liver protection and longevity, liver cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. The review also highlights the integrated approach to yields maximizations to meet the regular demands of the anthocyanins products, also as part of the extract-rich preparations together with a listing of marketed products available for human consumption as nutraceuticals/food supplements.

[Comparison of active ingredients and protective effects of Dendrobium huoshanense of different growth years on acute liver injury].

The differences of the active ingredients in Dendrobium huoshanense of different growth years and their protective effects on acute liver injury were studied to provide evidence for optimizing harvest time. The contents of polysaccharides, total flavonoids and total alkaloids in D. huoshanense of different growth years were determined by UV spectrophotometry, and the contents of gigantol in D. huoshanense were determined by HPLC. C57 BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank control group(saline), modeling group(saline), high-dose(7.5 g·kg~(-1)) and low-dose(1.25 g·kg~(-1)) groups of D. huoshanense of different growth years. Each group was intragastrically administered every day for 2 weeks. 500 mg·kg~(-1) paracetamol was injected intraperitoneally 2 h after last treatment except the control group. After 12 hours, the serum and liver tissues were collected to detect the activities of ALT and AST, and the levels of SOD and MDA. The hepatic histopathological examination was performed. The results showed that the chemical constituents of D. huo-shanense of different growth years were significantly different(P<0.05). The contents of polysaccharide and gigantol of D. huoshanense of 2 growth years were the highest. The contents of flavonoids and alkaloids of D. huoshanense of 3 growth years were the hig-hest, followed by the D. huoshanense of 2 growth years, and the lowest were that of 1 growth year. Compared with the modeling group, D. huoshanense of different growth years could decrease the activities of ALT and AST in serum. Meanwhile, the levels of MDA reduced significantly, while those of SOD increased markedly. Histopathological results suggested that all D. huoshanense samples were effective in the reduction of the necrosis of hepatocytes in different degrees. The results of the multi-component SPSS paired tests showed that polysaccharide and gigantol probably played a leading role in the liver protection effects, while D. huoshanense of 2 growth years showed the best efficacy. The optimal harvesting time of D. huoshanense is 2 growth years.

[Progress of research on effect and mechanism of Scutellariae Radix on preventing liver diseases].

Scutellariae Radix is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, which has the functions of heat-clearing and damp-drying, purging fire and detoxifying, hemostasis and miscarriage prevention. Modern pharmacological studies show that Scutellariae Radix has various effects, such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, liver protection and antiviral microorganisms. By searching the documents in the past ten years, the author has found that Scutellariae Radix and its active components play an important role in protecting the liver. It can prevent and cure liver injuries caused by different reasons, including acute or chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis and liver cancer. Among all kinds(chemical, immunological, alcoholic, nonalcoholic, viral, ischemia-reperfusion, etc.) of acute or chronic hepatitis, most studies are on CCl_4 induced chemical liver injury. Scutellariae Radix and its active components can significantly reduce the serum transaminase level in hepatitis animals, and reduce the degree of liver pathological damage. The mechanisms include antioxidant stress, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis, inhibition of immunity, anti-virus and regulation of lipid metabolism, etc. Scutellariae Radix and its active components can significantly inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells and reduce extracellular matrix, and its anti-fibrosis mechanism involves antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, inducing apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells and so on. Whether in vivo or in vitro, Scutellariae Radix and its active components show a good anti-hepatocarcinoma effect, especially on hepatocarcinoma. Its prevention and treatment mechanisms for hepatocarcinoma mainly include blocking cancer cell cycle, inhibiting cancer cell metastasis, promoting cancer cell apoptosis and inducing autophagy. It can be seen that Scutellariae Radix has multiple functions and mechanisms in liver protection, and has a great development potential. Therefore, this paper reviews the prevention and treatment effects and mechanism of Scutellariae Radix and its components on different liver diseases, in order to provide reference for in-depth study, development and clinical application in the prevention and treatment of liver disease.

Tauroursodeoxycholate protects from glycochenodeoxycholate-induced gene expression changes in perfused rat liver.

Tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDC) is well known to protect against glycochenodeoxycholate (GCDC)-induced apoptosis in rat hepatocytes. In the present study, we analyzed whether TUDC also exerts protective effects by modulating GCDC-induced gene expression changes. For this, gene array-based transcriptome analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were performed on RNA isolated from rat livers perfused with GCDC, TUDC or a combination of both (each 20 µm for 2 h). GCDC led to a significant increase of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into the effluent perfusate, which was prevented by TUDC. GCDC, TUDC and co-perfusion induced distinct gene expression changes. While GCDC upregulated the expression of several pro-inflammatory genes, co-perfusion with TUDC increased the expression of pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic p53 target genes. In line with this, levels of serine20-phosphorylated p53 and of its target gene p21 were elevated by GCDC in a TUDC-sensitive way. GCDC upregulated the oxidative stress surrogate marker 8OH(d)G and the pro-apoptotic microRNAs miR-15b/16 and these effects were prevented by TUDC. The upregulation of miR-15b and miR-16 in GCDC-perfused livers was accompanied by a downregulation of several potential miR-15b and miR-16 target genes. The present study identified changes in the transcriptome of the rat liver which suggest, that TUDC is hepatoprotective by counteracting GCDC-induced gene expression changes.

[Study on liver protection and hepatotoxicity of saikosaponin a based on zebrafish model].

Bupleuri Radix has both liver protection and hepatotoxicity. Saponins are the main pharmacodynamic and toxic components of Bupleuri Radix. Based on zebrafish physical model and the model of alcoholic fatty liver( AFL) pathology,the liver toxic and protective effect of saikosaponin a( SSa) were assessed. The results indicated that 1. 77 µmol·L-1 SSa showed protective effect to AFL zebrafish. 5. 30 µmol·L-1 SSa was hepatotoxic to healthy zebrafish,but it showed protective effect to AFL zebrafish. 5. 62 µmol·L-1 SSa was hepatotoxic to healthy and AFL zebrafish. This study is benefit for clinical safety of saikosaponin a.

Carrier-Free, Pure Nanodrug Formed by the Self-Assembly of an Anticancer Drug for Cancer Immune Therapy.

Ursolic acid (UA) is a food-plant-derived natural product which has good anticancer activities and low toxicity. However, the poor water solubility of UA limits its application in clinic. To address this issue, we developed a carrier-free nanodrug by self-assembly of UA. Here, we showed that UA nanoparticles (NPs) have a near-spherical shape with a diameter of ∼150 nm. UA NPs exhibited higher antiproliferative activity; significantly caused apoptosis; decreased the expression of COX-2/VEGFR2/VEGFA; and increased the immunostimulatory activity of TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-ß and decreased the activity of STAT-3 in A549 cells in vitro. Furthermore, UA NPs could inhibit tumor growth and have the ability of liver protection in vivo. More importantly, UA NPs could significantly improve the activation of CD4+ T-cells, which indicated that UA NPs have the potential for immunotherapy. Overall, a carrier-free UA nanodrug may be a promising drug to further enhance their anticancer efficacy and immune function.

Sylimarin as hepatic protector and immunomodulator in Nile tilapia during Streptococcus agalactiae infection.

This study investigated the use of silymarin, an extract obtained from the milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and its effects as a possible hepatoprotector in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Silymarin was used as feed additive to the diet at a concentration of 0.1% (1 kg per ton of dry ration) with the commercial product named Di-Heptarine S® (16% silymarin phosphatide). A total of 90 juvenile tilapia with approximately 45 days old and mean weight of 0.72 ±â€¯0.04 g were distributed in two groups, one fed with a diet with the hepatoprotector and the other without the additive. At the end of the assay (55 days after feeding), samples of blood were collected for hematological, immunological, histological (liver, spleen and intestine) and enzymatic analysis such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). After 55 days all fish were challenged with Streptococcus agalactiae serotype Ib to verify the sylimarin effects on the immunological parameters and its protection effect while challenged. During the challenge period another biological material sample was collected for hematological, immunological and histopathological analysis (liver, spleen and intestine). Before the challenge, an increase on the count of thrombocyte was found in the supplemented fish. In the liver, dilation of the sinusoids was observed in unsupplemented fish while supplemented fish the alteration was less severe. No significant alteration was found in SOD, CAT and GST between the groups. Histological changes after the challenge were provoked by bacterial toxins as a result of inflammatory processes. Periacinar degeneration was less intense in unsupplemented fish when compared to supplemented fish. On the other hand, eosinophilic and lymphocytic infiltrate did occur in unsupplemented fish differently from supplemented fish which did not show the alteration. The survival was 28% higher in silymarin supplemented fish when compared to unsupplemented fish that presented no survival. Silymarin supplementation in the diet provided a hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effect on Nile tilapia.

Protective Effect of Caffeic Acid Derivatives on tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide-Induced Oxidative Hepato-Toxicity and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in HepG2 Cells.

Oxidative stress results in structural and functional abnormalities in the liver and is thought to be a crucial factor in liver diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of caffeic acid (CA) derivatives on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Nine CA derivatives were synthesized, including N-phenylethyl caffeamide (PECA), N-(3-florophen)methyl caffeamide (FMCA), N-(4-methoxy-phen)methyl caffeamide (MPMCA), N-heptyl caffeamide (HCA), N-octyl caffeamide (OCA), octyl caffeate (CAOE), phenpropyl caffeate (CAPPE), phenethyl caffeate (CAPE), and phenmethyl caffeate (CAPME). The results showed that CA and its derivatives significantly inhibited t-BHP-induced cell death of HepG2 cells. The rank order of potency of the CA derivatives for cytoprotection was CAOE > HCA > OCA > FMCA > CAPPE > CAPME > CAPE > PECA > MPMCA > CA. Their cytoprotective activity was associated with lipophilicity. The antioxidant effect of these compounds was supported by the reduction in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substrates, a biomarker of lipid peroxidation, in HepG2 cells. Pre-treatment of CA derivatives significantly prevented the depletion of glutathione, the most important water-soluble antioxidant in hepatocytes. Pre-treatment of CA derivatives before t-BHP exposure maintained mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate and ATP content in the injured HepG2 cells. CA derivatives except OCA and HCA significantly suppressed t-BHP-induced hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein level. In addition, all of these CA derivatives markedly increased the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) accumulation in the nucleus, indicating that their cytoprotection may be mediated by the activation of Nrf2. Our results suggest that CA derivatives might be a hepatoprotective agent against oxidative stress.

[The effect and comparison of commonly used liver-protection drugs for irradiated HL-7702 by X].

Objective: To investigate the effect of different mechanisms of liver-protection drugs in clinic and compare which one is best for the proliferation of irradiated HL-7702, laying the basis of liver-protection drugs choose in clinic on theory and practice. Methods: Human liver parenchyma cells HL-7702 were given single 6 MV X ray irradiation at a dose of 10Gy, the cells' morphology were detected under an inverted microscope at 24h, 48h and 72h. Then, MTT was used to assess the survival rate of the cells to evaluate the effect of the X ray. The representive medicines which mechanism may relate to RILD were chosen and diluted into various concentrations with culture medium according to clinical and relative reports. Different concentrations of medicines were used to protect the cells damaged by the X ray. Comparing the effect with MTT and measure SOD, MDA for the best one. Further research on its protection of oxidative damage. T-test, F test and non- paramiter test were used for statistical analysis. Results: 2.5 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate both have an effect on the proliferation of liver cells, especially the concentration of 1 mg/ml. The injection of polyene phosphatidyl choline show trivial effect at the concentrations of 250 µmol/L and reduced glutathione(GSH) did not demonstrate relative functions. Further research on the magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate, found its protection at 48h to oxidative damage (P < 0.05), but the effect is weak at 24h and 48h. Conclusions: In three kinds of representing medicines, magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate has preferable effects on liver parenchyma cells and show a bright future in the treatment of RILD.

[Protective effects of five different types of Dendrobium on CCl4-induced liver injury in mice].

This study aims to investigate the protective effect of Dendrobium huoshanense, D.officinale(Huoshan), D.officinale(Yunnan), D.moniliforme and D. henanense on CCl4-induced hepatic damage in mice. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, high-dose(7.5 g•kg⁻¹) and low-dose (1.25 g•kg⁻¹) groups of the five Dendrobium. Each group was intragastrically administered with drugs for 2 weeks. The control group was intraperitoneally injected with Olive oil solution, while the other groups were intraperitoneally given 0.5%CCl4combined with Olive oil solution 2 h later after the last administration. Subsequently, ALT and AST activities in serum, SOD activities and MDA contents in liver tissues were determined in all groups 16 h later after administration. The liver index was calculated, and hepatic histopathological examination was performed. The mRNA expressions of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α were analyzed by Real-time PCR. Compared with the CCl4 model group, the activities of ALT and AST in serum decreased significantly in the five different Dendrobium groups. Meanwhile, in liver tissues, the levels of MDA reduced obviously, while the SOD activities markedly increased. Furthermore, liver tissue damage induced by CCl4 was ameliorated according to the histopathological examination. IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expressions in D.huoshanense-treated liver tissues were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the five different Dendrobium groups showed hepatoprotective effects on CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice. However, there were differences among Dendrobium of different types and origins. The protect effect of D.huoshanense is the most obvious, and the order of the protective effect of the other Dendrobium from high to low is D.officinale(Yunnan), D. officinale(Huoshan), D.henanense and D.moniliforme. The differences between the different types of Dendrobium might be related to their chemical components.

San Huang Shel Shin Tang beta-cyclodextrin complex augmented the hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats.

BACKGROUND: San Huang Shel Shin Tang (SHSST) is a traditional herbal decoction used as a hepato-protective agent and is composed of Rheum officinale Baill, Scutellaria baicalnsis Geprgi and Coptis chinensis Franch (2:1:1 w/w). Beta-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) modification may potentially increase the solubility and spectral properties of SHSST. METHODS: In this research, the hepato-protective effects of unmodified SHSST, ß-CD modified SHSST complex (SHSSTc) and silymarin were evaluated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. RESULTS: SHHSTc (40 mg/kg/day) and silymarin (100 mg/kg/day) both decreased the CCl4-induced cirrhosis pathway-related transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) and apoptosis pathway-related caspase-8 protein expressions, but SHSST (40 mg/kg/day) did not reduce TGF-ß and caspase-8 significantly . Moreover, SHHSTc (40 mg/kg/day) enhanced the activation of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) mediated survival pathway than the silymarin (100 mg/kg/day) to protect the liver from damage induced by CCl4. CONCLUSIONS: ß-CD modification promotes hepato-protective effects of SHSST and reduces the required-dosage of the SHSST.

Anti-apoptotic effect of San Huang Shel Shin Tang cyclodextrin complex (SHSSTc) on CCl4 -induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

The metabolic loading is heavier in liver especially when injured or inflammation. San Huang Shel Shin Tang (SHSST) was an old traditional herbal decoction, which composed with Rheum officinale Baill, Scutellaria baicalnsis Geprgi and Coptis chinensis Franch (1:1:2 in weight), can provide a liver protection effects. We used a beta-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) drug modification method in reduce of the necessary dose of the SHSST. As the results, the FAS-FADD expressions leaded apoptosis in CCl4 intraperitoneal (IP) injection induced acute liver injury in rats. Silymarin, baicalein, SHSST, and SHSST ß-CD complex (SHSSTc) pretreatments protected liver through the decreasing of the expressions of FAS-FADD and downstream caspase-3 and caspase-8. Particularly, SHSSTc (30 mg/kg day) treatment enhanced cell survival pathway activation through the PI3K, Akt and Bad phosphorylation. Compared with SHSST as well as silymarin and baicalein, SHSSTc provided a magnificent liver protection effect, especially in survival pathway activation/TUNEL-apoptotic cell reduction/serum cholesterol level suppression. All these data suggested that ß-CD complex modified the SHSST and promoted the bioavailability and liver protection effects. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 663-670, 2016.

Antioxidant, Liver Protective and Angiotensin I-converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Old Laying Hen Hydrolysate in Crab Meat Analogue.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidative activities of Crab meat analogue prepared with protein hydrolysates obtained from mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM) from spent laying hens. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity was increased by adding MDCM hydrolysates during storage, and activity correlated with the concentration of DPPH added up to 6 weeks of storage. Hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity was increased in all analogues containing MDCM hydrolysates. At 0 days of storage, angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity was increased by the addition of MDCM hydrolysates. Activity did not correlate after 6 weeks of storage, in which ACE-inhibitory activity was increased with low concentrations of MDCM hydrolysates, but no ACE-inhibitory activity was observed at higher concentrations. The liver-protecting activity of crab meat analogue was shown to be around 60% of the positive control; however, it was not significantly different among the samples during storage. These results support the use of MDCM as a source of health-promoting constituents in crab meat analogue.

Ellagic acid: Pharmacological activities and molecular mechanisms involved in liver protection.

Traditional drugs or therapies rarely have effects on regression of chronic liver diseases, which result in many cases from sustained oxidative stress. In recent years, ellagic acid (EA) has gained attention due to its multiple biological activities and several molecular targets. This is the first review focused on the pharmacological properties and on the molecular mechanisms activated by EA in terms of liver protection. EA possesses antioxidant, antihepatotoxic, antisteatosic, anticholestatic, antifibrogenic, antihepatocarcinogenic and antiviral properties that improves the hepatic architectural and functions against toxic and pathological conditions. The molecular mechanisms that EA activates include the scavenging of free radicals, regulation of phase I and II enzymes, modulation of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines synthesis, the regulation of biochemical pathways involved in the synthesis and degradation of lipids as well as the maintenance of essential trace elements levels. EA also inhibits hepatic stellate cells and mast cells activation, the proliferation of transformed cells, as well as viral replication by increasing antioxidant response, induction of apoptosis, downregulation of genes involved in cell cycle and angiogenesis, and stimulation of cellular immune response. Despite the enormous therapeutic potential of EA as an innovative pharmacological strategy, the number of phase I and II trials in patients is scarce, precluding its clinical application. In these sense, the use of new delivery systems that enhances EA bioavailability would improve the results already obtained. Also it remains to be determined if treatment with urolithins instead of EA would represent a better strategy in hepatic disease treatment.

Enhanced treatment of acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning using activated charcoal-embedded sodium alginate-polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel.

BACKGROUND: The adsorption of activated charcoal is currently a major clinical treatment for acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (AOPP). However, the adsorption duration and efficiency of this method is unstable. OBJECTIVE: In this study, a hydrogel embedding activated charcoal was prepared and its alleviating effects on AOPP were investigated. METHODS: A composite hydrogel using sodium alginate and polyvinyl alcohol (SA-PVA) hydrogel was prepared in this study. The structural properties of the SA-PVA hydrogel were characterized via multiple analysis including FTIR, TGA, XRD, SEM, tensile strength and expansion rate. Based on these, activated charcoal (AC) was embedded within the SA-PVA hydrogel (SA-PVA-AC) and it was used for the treatment of AOPP. RESULTS: Structural characterization indicated SA-PVA hydrogel possesses excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. The in vivo study demonstrated that SA-PVA-AC significantly alleviated the inflammation and oxidative damage in the liver, as evidenced by reduced levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and, IL-1ß, SOD, and MDA. Furthermore, SA-PVA-AC treatment effectively re-regulated the activities of serum AST and ALT, exhibiting an improved effect on liver function. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that activated charcoal embedded within SA-PVA hydrogel has significant potential as a therapeutic agent in treating AOPP, and offering a novel approach to managing pesticide-induced toxicity.

High Fischer Ratio Oligopeptides of Gluten Alleviate Alcohol-Induced Liver Damage by Regulating Lipid Metabolism and Oxidative Stress in Rats.

High Fischer ratio oligopeptides (HFOs) exhibit diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. HFOs from gluten origin were prepared through fermentation and enzymatic hydrolysis and then characterized using free amino acid analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Following intervention, the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) in the rats significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, there was an increasing trend in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of alcohol metabolism-related genes (ADH4, ALDH2, and CYP2E1) exhibited a significant increase (p < 0.05). Histological examination revealed a reduction in liver damage. The findings indicate that high Fischer ratio oligopeptides, prepared through enzymatic and fermentation methods, significantly improve lipid levels, ameliorate lipid metabolism disorders, and mitigate oxidative stress, and exhibit a discernible alleviating effect on alcoholic liver injury in rats.