알코올 및 사염화탄소에 의해 유발된 급만성 간손상에 대한 지구자 열수추출물의 보호효과

Abstract

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Hovenia dulcis extract on acute and chronic liver injuries induced by alcohol and <TEX>$CCl_4$</TEX> in mice and rats. Methods : In acute alcohol-induced liver injury, mice were administered Hovenia dulcis extracts (60 and 200 mg/kg) orally before and after alcohol administration. In chronic alcohol-induced liver injury, mice were administered alcohol containing liquid diet for 4 weeks. The mice were administered H. dulcis extracts (60 and 200 mg/kg) mixed with the liquid diet. In acute <TEX>$CCl_4$</TEX>-induced liver injury, rats received a single dose of <TEX>$CCl_4$</TEX> (2 mL/kg in olive oil, intraperitoneally). Rats were administered H. dulcis extracts (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) before and after <TEX>$CCl_4$</TEX> administrations. After the ends of the administrations, the serum levels of AST and ALT were measured using chemical analyzer, and <TEX>${\gamma}$</TEX>-GTP levels were measured using spectrophotometer. Results : In acute alcohol-induced liver injury, H. dulcis extracts treated group showed significant reduction in ALT levels compared to those of control group. In chronic alcohol-induced liver injury, it inhibited weight-loss compared to normal group and showed significant reduction in AST, ALT and <TEX>${\gamma}$</TEX>-GTP levels compared to control group. In acute <TEX>$CCl_4$</TEX>-induced liver injury, it also showed significant reduction in AST, ALT levels compared to control group. Conclusions : The results show that H. dulcis extract has hepatoprotective effect in acute and chronic alcohol-induced liver injury and acute <TEX>$CCl_4$</TEX>-induced liver injury. These findings suggest that H. dulcis could be a potent hepatoprotective agent.