The effects of herbal extracts on CCl4-induced ROS accumulation and cell death in hepatocytes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of herbal medicinal extracts against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced functional alteration and cell death in hepatocytes. HepG2 cells were treated with a frequently utilized herbal medicinal extract, and cell viability and antioxidative activity were subsequently measured with MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) assays and MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assays. Among the extracts from Alnus japonica (ILF-AJ), Angelica keiskei (ILF-AK), Allium tuberosum (ILF-AT), Eucommia ulmoides extract (ILF-E), and Puerariae radix (ILF-P), Rhus verniciflua extract (ILF-R), ILF-E and ILF-R more significantly increased hepatocyte viability in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Hepatic enzyme activities (AST and ALT), lipid peroxidation, and SOD levels were also significantly regulated in the presence of ILF-E and ILF-R. Next, to assess a synergistic effect between ILF-E and ILF-R, the combined ratio of these two extracts was analyzed. When ILF-E and ILF-R were combined in a 1:1 ratio at a concentration of 100 μg/mL, they more significantly regulated cell death, AST and ALT activity, MDA level, SOD level, and the oxidant capturing characteristic marker DPPH. Through this study, the combined 1:1 formulation of ILF-E and ILF-R is suggested to be a potentially therapeutic and preventive medicinal herb for the preservation of hepatic function and treatment of toxicity.