Effects of Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng), urushiol (Rhus vernicifera Stokes), and probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and Lactobacillus acidophilus R0052) on the gut–liver axis of alcoholic liver disease

Abstract

BackgroundRoles of immune reaction and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) have widely been established in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD).MethodsWe evaluated the biologic efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), urushiol, and probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and Lactobacillus acidophilus R0052) in mouse models of ALD. Sixty C57BL/6 mice were equally divided into six feeding groups for 10 weeks: normal diet, alcohol, control, alcohol + KRG, alcohol + urushiol, and alcohol + probiotics. Alcohol was administered via a Lieber–DeCarli liquid diet containing 10% alcohol. TLR-4 expression, proinflammatory cytokines, and histology, as well as the results of liver function tests were evaluated and compared.ResultsNo between-group differences were observed with regard to liver function. TLR-4 levels were significantly lower in the KRG, urushiol, and probiotics groups than in the alcohol group (0.37 ± 0.06 ng/mL, 0.39 ± 0.12 ng/mL, and 0.33 ± 0.07 ng/mL, respectively, vs. 0.88 ± 0.31 ng/mL; p < 0.05). Interleukin-1β levels in liver tissues were decreased among the probiotics and KRG groups. The tumor necrosis factor-α level of liver tissue was decreased in the KRG group.ConclusionThe pathological findings showed that alcohol-induced steatosis was significantly reduced by KRG and urushiol. As these agents improve immunologic capacity, they may be considered in potential anti-ALD treatments.

Alcohol extract of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) reduces fatty liver, dyslipidemia, and other complications of metabolic syndrome in a mouse model

“…In overweight adult patients with non-alcoholic FLD, the liver function and adipokine levels could be improved after 3 weeks of red ginseng treatment (Hong et al 2016). Alcoholic FLD (Gyamphy and Wan 2010) could also D r a f t be significantly reduced by red ginseng treatment (Bang et al 2014). Right now there are no effective drugs on the market for the treatment of FLD and some available treatments could in fact exacerbate not reduce the FLD.…”

Protective effect of Korean red ginseng against FK-506-induced damage in LLC-PK1 cells

“…Biological and pharmacological activities can be enhanced through heat and steam processes [12]. The variety of pharmacological activities attributed to KRG include antiapoptotic [13,14], antiinflammatory [15,16] and antioxidant effects [12,17,18].…”

Hepatoprotective effects of dual-coated and uncoated mixture of probiotics in rats

“…Probiotics play important roles in the body, such as inhibition of harmful bacteria by lowering the pH of the intestinal environment, improvement of diarrhoea, synthesis of vitamins and lowering of blood cholesterol levels. [12] Several studies have found that probiotics have beneficial effects against intestinal diseases and liver diseases. [12,13] A recent study reported that dual-coated probiotics show improved viability when exposed to gastrointestinal conditions as compared with non-coated probiotics.…”

“…[12] Several studies have found that probiotics have beneficial effects against intestinal diseases and liver diseases. [12,13] A recent study reported that dual-coated probiotics show improved viability when exposed to gastrointestinal conditions as compared with non-coated probiotics. The dualcoating offers better protection from heat, pH conditions and moisture.…”