Effects of Extract Derived from <i>Eriobotrya japonica</i> on Liver Function Improvement in Rats

Abstract

Eriobotrya japonica is widely planted as a fruit tree, and its leaves (Eriobotrya folia) have been used in the Kampo medicines Shini-seihai-to and Biwayo-to to treat skin diseases, as well as to relieve inflammation, pain, coughing, and sputa. The hypoglycemic [1][2][3][4][5] and anti-inflammatory effects [6][7][8] of Eriobotrya folia have also recently been reported. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] As in seeds of other plants from Rosaceae such as Persicae semen and Armeniacae semen, amygdalin is a major component of Eriobotrya japonica seeds, 17) and these latter seeds have therefore been used as a folk medicine substituting for these constituents of Kampo medicines. However, most Eriobotrya japonica seeds are currently discarded as garbage. Recently, it has been recognized that patients with liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis frequently develop liver cirrhosis and carcinoma; the inhibition of liver fibrosis is thus considered important in preventing liver cirrhosis and carcinoma. Although many studies have evaluated methods of inhibiting the development of liver fibrosis, no adequate means has yet been found. [18][19][20][21] Based on the pharmacological background of Eriobotrya japonica, various extracts of the seeds were orally administered to rats with dimethylnitrosamine-induced hepatopathy. Subsequently, blood L-asparate aminotransferase (AST) and L-alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, liver retinoid (an index of fibroblast expression in the liver) level, and hydroxyproline (a collagen-specific amino acid) level were measured. Liver fibrosis rates were also calculated after Azan-Mallory staining of liver tissues to evaluate the effects of the extracts on liver function. MATERIALS AND METHODS AnimalsMale Wistar rats, aged seven weeks, 180-200 g, were purchased from NSC Japan. Animals were acclimatized for seven days at 23Ϯ2°C with free access to pellet food (CE-2, Clea, Osaka, Japan) and water. Healthy rats were then selected and assigned to groups.Materials Sufficiently sun-dried seeds of Mogi-loquat collected at Muroto and Susaki cities in Kochi Prefecture of Japan were the Eriobotrya japonica seeds used. Dimethylnitrosamine, retinol palmitate, hydroxyproline, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and b-sitosterol were purchased from Nacalai Tesque (Kyoto, Japan). All other chemicals were of reagent grade.Analysis of Compounds IR spectra were measured on a JASCO FT/IR-420 spectrometer.1 H-and 13 C-NMR spectra were obtained on a VARIAN UNITY INOVA 400 NMR spectrometer operating at 399.913 and 100.567 MHz, respectively. Mass spectra were recorded on a JEOL D-300 spectrometer. Analytical HPLC was carried out on a Hitachi D-6000 equipped with a Hitachi L-3000 spectrometer on a YMC Pack ODS-AQ column (6.6ϫ150 mm); mobile phase, CH 3 CN-H 2 O-AcOH (80 : 20 : 1); flow rate, 0.7 ml/min; detection, 240 nm; column temperature, 30°C. Extraction of Seed by Various SolventsThe seeds of Eriobotrya japonica were extracted by various solvents. Briefly, 1.0 kg of seeds was crushed in a blender equipped with a refrigerat...

The Effect of Eriobotrya japonica Seed Extract on Oxidative Stress in Adriamycin-Induced Nephropathy in Rats

“…14) In this study, to clarify the physiological action of an extract from Eriobotrya japonica seeds, we administered an Eriobotrya japonica seed extract (ESE) with 70% ethanol to rats with ADR nephrotoxicity, and evaluated its improvement effect.…”

Bioactivities of Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. Leaf and Its Triterpenes

“…It is well known that the seeds of E. japonica contain a cyanide glycoside, amygdarin, that can be used as an anti-cough traditional medicine in Japan [57]. Furthermore, because anti-oxidant activity [58,59] and hepatoprotective activity [60] have been reported, the seeds are also good candidates for health food together with the leaves. …”

Oxidative stability of refrigerated fish pates containing loquat seed extract

“…Recent studies reveal that loquat seeds have the highest polyphenol content and show the most potent activity against lipid oxidation (KOBA et al, 2007). In addition, the methanol and ethanol extracts of loquat seed inhibited hepatic fi brosis in rats (NISHIOKA et al, 2002). Moreover, there has been no study on the antioxidant potential of extracts from loquat seeds against lipid oxidation in food systems, which would be an interesting use for this product.…”