Anthraquinones Extract from Morinda angustifolia Roxb. Root Alleviates Hepatic Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride through Inhibition of Hepatic Oxidative Stress.

Rui-Rong Chen,Chuan-Li Lu,Juan Liu,Xiu-Fen Li,Wen-Jun Cai,Zhe Chen

doi:10.1155/2020/9861571

Abstract

In Southwestern China, the root of Morinda angustifolia Roxb. has been employed as a folk medicine for treating various types of hepatitis and jaundice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of anthraquinones extract from M. angustifolia root (AEMA) in carbon tetrachloride- (CCl4-) induced liver injury in mice and identify the main bioactive components. Results indicated that AEMA pretreatment could significantly, in a dose-dependent manner, attenuate the increased levels of ALT and AST in mice serum induced by CCl4. At doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, AEMA exhibited significant suppression of the elevated hepatic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as marked upregulatory effects on the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in mice exposed to CCl4. However, AEMA treatment had no effect on the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) or the nonenzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH). Furthermore, two anthraquinone constituents were isolated from AEMA and identified as soranjidiol and rubiadin-3-methyl ether. Soranjidiol exhibited similar protective effects to those of AEMA on liver damage induced by CCl4. Overall, our research clearly demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of the AEMA, and anthraquinones, particularly soranjidiol, should be considered as the main hepatoprotective principles of M. angustifolia. In addition, the underlying mechanism may be, at least in part, related to its antioxidant properties.

Highlights

Liver is the largest and most metabolically active organ in an organism responsible for the detoxification and deposition of endogenous and exogenous substances [1]
Our research clearly demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of the AEMA, and anthraquinones, soranjidiol, should be considered as the main hepatoprotective principles of M. angustifolia
AEMA was obtained as yellow power, while ethanol extract of M. angustifolia was deep red power

Summary

Introduction

Liver is the largest and most metabolically active organ in an organism responsible for the detoxification and deposition of endogenous and exogenous substances [1]. Many factors, such as virus infection, improper use of drugs, excessive intake of alcohol, and ingestion of toxic food, could cause acute or chronic liver injury [2]. Is a resourceful perennial undershrub or small tree, which is widely distributed in the southwestern mountainous areas of China and nearby countries including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Laos [5] and has been used for making yellow dyestuff and food condiment, as well as folk medicine [6, 7]. In Bangladesh traditional medical practice, M. angustifolia has been used

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Discussion

Conclusion