Effect of alpha-hederin on hepatic detoxifying systems in mice
Abstract
AIM: To examine whether alpha-hederin (Hed) modulates hepatic detoxifying systems
as a means of hepatoprotection.
METHODS: Mice were injected Hed 10 and 30 mumol.kg-1 sc for 3 d, and liver
cytosols were prepared 24 h after the last dose to study antioxidant enzymes and
nonenzymatic defense components.
RESULTS: Hed increased liver glutathione (GSH) content (20%), but had no effect
on GSH peroxidase, GSH reductase, and GSH S-transferase. The activities of
superoxide dismutase and quinone reductase were unaffected by Hed treatment. At
the high dose of Hed, catalase activity was decreased by 20%. Hepatic content of
metallothionein was dramatically increased (50-fold), along with elevations of
hepatic Zn and Cu concentrations (25%-80%). Hed also increased ascorbic acid
concentration (20%), but no effect on alpha-tocopherol in liver.
CONCLUSION: Hed enhanced some nonenzymatic antioxidant components in liver, which
play a partial role in Hed protection against hepatotoxicity produced by some
chemicals.
Keywords:
as a means of hepatoprotection.
METHODS: Mice were injected Hed 10 and 30 mumol.kg-1 sc for 3 d, and liver
cytosols were prepared 24 h after the last dose to study antioxidant enzymes and
nonenzymatic defense components.
RESULTS: Hed increased liver glutathione (GSH) content (20%), but had no effect
on GSH peroxidase, GSH reductase, and GSH S-transferase. The activities of
superoxide dismutase and quinone reductase were unaffected by Hed treatment. At
the high dose of Hed, catalase activity was decreased by 20%. Hepatic content of
metallothionein was dramatically increased (50-fold), along with elevations of
hepatic Zn and Cu concentrations (25%-80%). Hed also increased ascorbic acid
concentration (20%), but no effect on alpha-tocopherol in liver.
CONCLUSION: Hed enhanced some nonenzymatic antioxidant components in liver, which
play a partial role in Hed protection against hepatotoxicity produced by some
chemicals.