Chemical characters and protective effect of Baqi Lingmao formula on experimental liver injury.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical characters of water-extract of Baqi Lingmao formula (BQLM formula) and its effects on anti-liver injury in model mice and live cells. METHODS: BQLM formula was composed of ten herbal medicines. We determined the contents of alkaloids, saponins, phenolic acids and flavonoid in BQLM formula by UV spectrophotometry. The active components of alkaloids and phenolic acids in BQLM formula were identified by HPLC chromatography. The anti-hepatic injury effects of BQLM formula were investigated with concanavalin A (ConA)-induced hepatitis model of mice, human liver LO2 and HepG2.2.15 cells. RESULTS: BQLM formula (2 and 10 g/kg, orally) significantly improved the damages of liver tissues and functions caused by ConA in mice, reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells into liver and inhibited the inflammatory cytokine secretion of interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. BQLM formula simultaneously decreased the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase of liver and serum, and recovered the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities of liver to normal levels in ConA-induced hepatic-injury mice. The serum of BQLM formula group stimulated the human liver LO2 cell proliferation in vitro. Further, BQLM formula obviously promoted the proliferation of normal hepatocytes (LO2 cells) and inhibited the hepatocytes death induced by ConA. It also significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells and decreased the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: BQLM formula has anti-inflammation and anti-hepatitis virus Beffects, and is capable of improving liver injury in vivo and in vitro.