A comparison of the biological activities of ethyl acetate fractions from the stems and leaves of Penthorum chinense Pursh

Bin Ding,Kai Jiang,Qinchao Ding,Shujun Liu,Xiaobing Dou,Zhaolei Wang

doi:10.15302/j-fase-2019271

Abstract

Penthorum chinense Pursh (PCP) is a popular traditional medicinal plant in China, widely used for the treatment of a variety of liver diseases. Although it has been long recognized that the main active elements of PCP are contained in ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), little is known so far in terms of the relative effectiveness of EAF derived from the stems versus leaves of this plant. In the current study, we prepared EAF by reflux extraction and sequential extraction from the stems (SEAF) and leaves (LEAF) of PCP and tested their hepatoprotective efficacies. The extract rates and flavonoid contents of LEAF were higher than those of SEAF. EAFs (>50 μg·mL−1) prevented lipid accumulation in cells and protected against lipotoxicity injury when the concentration exceeded 25 μg·mL−1. More than 95% free radicals released by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were eliminated by 25 μg·mL−1 SEAF and 50 μg·mL−1 LEAF, respectively. Further, EAFs (25 μg·mL−1) also showed protective antioxidant effects, with the activity of LEAF being significantly higher than that of SEAF. EAFs (10 mg·mL−1) also showed similar unspecific bacteriostatic activity. In comparison with SEAF, LEAF contained more flavonoids and had a higher anti-oxidation capability and for these reasons we suggest it should be better for clinical use.

Highlights

Liver is the most vital metabolic organ in vertebrates
The curative effect of Penthorum chinense Pursh (PCP) has been explored on liver disease treatment in clinic, including hepatitis B-induced liver fibrosis[11,12,13], alcoholic fatty liver caused by long-term drinking[14], nonalcoholic steatohepatitis[15], and cirrhosis[16]
Sterile 3MM Whatman filter paper discs were saturated with either 10 mg$mL–1 SEAF or LEAF 70% ethanol solution. 70% ethanol was used as a negative control

Summary

Introduction

No specific drug treatment exists for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Ganhuangcao (Saxifragaceae, Penthorum chinense Pursh (PCP)) is a major medicinal plant in the Gulin District of Sichuan Province, China. It is known as ‘immortal grass’ by Miao people, who have consumed this plant since ancient times[9] and who believe that drinking PCP tea can protect against liver damage[10]. The curative effect of PCP has been explored on liver disease treatment in clinic, including hepatitis B-induced liver fibrosis[11,12,13], alcoholic fatty liver caused by long-term drinking[14], nonalcoholic steatohepatitis[15], and cirrhosis[16]. Some studies demonstrated that the main active elements are contained in the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) from PCP[17,18,19], such as anti-bacteria (bacteriostatic) activity[20,21] and anti-oxidation activity[22]

Methods

Results

Conclusion