Hepatoprotective effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid-enriched fermented Hovenia dulcis extract on ethanol-induced liver injury in mice

Abstract

Background: Various extracts of Hovenia dulcis have been commonly used in Asia for cases of alcohol-related disorders. Fermentation is reported to enhance the level and biological activities of various bio-constituents of plant extracts. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of fermented H. dulcis extract (FHDE) on ethanol-induced liver injury in mice. Methods: FHDE was prepared using Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus plantarum. The effects of FHDE on ethanolinduced liver injury were evaluated in C57BL/6 N CrSlc mice. A mixed feed preparation containing the fermented extract with and without ethanol was given to mice for 29 days, according to its group. At the end of the experiment, blood and liver samples were collected from all mice in the group. Plasma biochemical analysis and histopathological investigation were performed to evaluate the impacts of treatment on the biomarkers of hepatic damage and inflammatory changes. Besides, the expression of genes that regulate the activities of enzymes associated with alcohol metabolism, antioxidant activity, and fatty acid oxidation was assessed using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, the amino acid contents and the active ingredients of the extract were evaluated before and after fermentation.

Gamma Aminobutyric Acid-Enriched Fermented Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) Increases the Length of the Growth Plate on the Proximal Tibia Bone in Sprague-Dawley Rats

“…A wide range of traditional foods produced by microbial fermentation contain GABA, in which GABA is safe and eco-friendly, and also has the possibility of providing new health-benefited products enriched with GABA [ 21 ]. Numerous studies have demonstrated that GABA-enriched functional food have physiological benefits such as suppression of blood pressure [ 22 ], hepatoprotection [ 23 ], decrease in gut inflammation [ 24 ], and regulation of glucose tolerance [ 25 ]. Furthermore, several reports have demonstrated that GABA promoted bone health [ 15 , 16 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

Ethanol-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Alcohol Metabolism Regulation by GABA-Enriched Fermented Smilax china Root Extract in Rats

“…Fermentation results in increased antioxidant activity of an extract due to the increased number of phenolic compounds and flavonoids as a direct result of microbial hydrolysis [27]. GABA is widely used as a food supplement [2]. GABA was abundantly present in the FSC used in this study.…”

“…HDE (Hovenia dulcis) was used as a positive hepatoprotective agent in alcohol-induced hepatotoxic rats. HDE is approved as a dietary supplement to prevent alcohol-induced liver damage by the Ministry of Food and Drug safety (MFDS) in Korea [2,24].…”

“…After performing the first fermentation, skim milk (1% v/v) and glucose (1.5% v/v) solutions were added. Lactobacillus plantarum EJ2014 (KCCM 11545P) was inoculated and incubated at 30 • C for 7 days for secondary fermentation, and the final fermentation product of S. china was lyophilized in a freeze dryer at −70 • C for 3 days (Freeze Dryer, Ilshin BioBase Ltd., Ede, The Netherlands; Pilot LP20) [2]. Hovenia dulcis fruit extract (HDE) was purchased from ES Food Ingredients Co., Ltd. (Gunpo, Korea).…”

Comparison of Growth Characteristics and Active Compounds of Cultivated Hovenia dulcis under Different Environments in South Korea

“…Particularly, fruits, peduncles, and seeds of H. dulcis are used for several diseases like febrifuge, antispasmodic, laxative, and hangover syndrome [6][7][8]. Recent studies have proved that extracts of H. dulcis have detoxification on alcohol poisoning [9][10][11], hepatoprotective [10,12], antioxidant [13,14], antidiabetic [15], antiobesity [16], antiallergic [17], and anticancer activities [18][19][20]. Because of these medicinal properties, there is a trial for functional foods and natural health products by using extracts of H. dulcis [21].…”