Platycodon grandiflorus Polysaccharide with Anti-Apoptosis, Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity Against LPS/D-GalN Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of hepatoprotective effect of Platycodon grandiflorus polysaccharides (PGPSt) on LPS/D-galactose (D-GalN)-induced acute liver injury in mice. The pathological changes of liver tissue were observed by H&E stain. The results showed that the structure of hepatocytes in the model group was destroyed obviously, and that in 200 mg/kg PGPSt group was improved, which indicated that PGPSt could reduce the damage of hepatocytes. Then, indicators of oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis were detected. The results showed that PGPSt significantly reduced the activities of AST, ALT and SOD. PGPSt increased the expression of GSH, and decreased the level of MDA, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α. PGPSt can inhibit hepatocyte apoptosis, which might be related to down-regulation of cleaved-caspase 3 and Bax, and up-regulation of Bcl-2. In addition, Western blot analyses revealed that PGPSt suppressed the protein expression of TRL4, p-P38 and NF-κB p65. PGPSt exhibited protective effects on LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver injury in mice. Conclusion, the results demonstrated that PGPSt is a potential therapeutic drug by alleviating oxidative stress, reducing inflammatory cytokines and enhancing the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins that could be used for the treatment of some acute liver injury in the future.