A GC–MS-Based Metabolomic Strategy to Investigate the Protective Effects of Mulberry Polysaccharide on CCl4-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice

Abstract

BackgroundMulberry (Morus alba) fruits of the woody mulberry tree (family: Moraceae Morus) is a type of mulberry fruit grown in the southern Xinjiang region, which polysaccharides have antioxidant and liver protective effects. This article further preliminary study on the protective effects of mulberry polysaccharide (MP) on liver.MethodA detection kit was used to assess serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), liver malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and other indicators. Liver tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and observed under a microscope. The entire endogenous metabolite profiling was acquired via metabolomics strategy using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to assess the underlying protective mechanisms of MPs. ResultsResults indicated that MPs exerted a hepatoprotective effect on acute liver injury by decreasing serum ALT and AST levels, hepatic MDA, and restored hepatic SOD glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. A total of 33 possible endogenous metabolites associated with lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism including amino acids, sugars, and fatty acids, were found.ConclusionThe results of the present study provide a reference for elucidating the protective mechanisms of MPs against acute liver injury.Graphical Abstract