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Lemon Balm and Dandelion Leaf Extracts Synergistically Protect against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice
oleh: Beom-Rak Choi, Il-Je Cho, Su-Jin Jung, Jae-Kwang Kim, Dae-Geon Lee, Sae-Kwang Ku, Ki-Moon Park
Format: | Article |
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Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2021-01-01 |
Deskripsi
Lemon balm and dandelion are commonly used medicinal herbs exhibiting numerous pharmacological activities that are beneficial for human health. In this study, we explored the protective effects of a 2:1 (<i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) mixture of lemon balm and dandelion extracts (MLD) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl<sub>4</sub>)-induced acute liver injury in mice. CCl<sub>4</sub> (0.5 mL/kg; i.p.) injection inhibited body weight gain and increased relative liver weight. Pre-administration of MLD (50–200 mg/kg) for 7 days prevented these CCl<sub>4</sub>-mediated changes. In addition, histopathological analysis revealed that MLD synergistically alleviated CCl<sub>4</sub>-mediated hepatocyte degeneration and infiltration of inflammatory cells. MLD decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transferase activities and reduced the number of liver cells that stained positive for cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, suggesting that MLD protects against CCl<sub>4</sub>-induced hepatic damage via the inhibition of apoptosis. Moreover, MLD attenuated CCl<sub>4</sub>-mediated lipid peroxidation and protein nitrosylation by restoring impaired hepatic nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 mRNA levels and its dependent antioxidant activities. Furthermore, MLD synergistically decreased mRNA and protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 in the liver. Together, these results suggest that MLD has potential for preventing acute liver injury by inhibiting apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation.