Hepatoprotective effects of arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage

Song-Chow Lin, Tsao-Chuen Chung, Chun Ching Lin, Tzuu Huei Ueng, Yun Ho Lin, Shuw Yuan Lin, Li Ya Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

82 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The root ofArctium lappa Linné (A. lappa) (Compositae), a perennial herb, has been cultivated for a long time as a popular vegetable. In order to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of A. lappa, male ICR mice were injected with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4,32 μl/kg, i.p.) or acetaminophen (600 mg/kg, i.p.). A. lappa suppressed the SCOT and SGPT elevations induced by CC 14 or acetaminophen in a dose-dependent manner and alleviated the severity of liver damage based on histopathological observations. In an attempt to elucidate the possible mechanism(s) of this hepatoprotective effect, glutathione (GSH), cytochrome P-450 (P-450) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were studied. A. lappa reversed the decrease in GSH and P-450 induced by CCl4 and acetaminophen. It was also found that A. lappa decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in CCl4 or acetaminophen-intoxicated mice. From these results, it was suggested that A. lappa could protect the liver cells from CCl4 or acetaminophen-induced liver damages, perhaps by its antioxidative effect on hepatocytes, hence eliminating the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites from CCl4 or acetaminophen.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)163-173
Number of pages11
JournalAmerican Journal of Chinese Medicine
Volume28
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Complementary and alternative medicine

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