Linderae radix ethanol extract attenuates alcoholic liver injury via attenuating inflammation and regulating gut microbiota in rats

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the influence of gut microbiota alterations induced by Linderae radix ethanol extract (LREE) on alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in rats and to study the anti-inflammatory effect of LREE on ALD through the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. ALD rat models were established by intragastric liquor [50% (v/v) ethanol] administration at 10 mL/kg body weight for 20 days. Rats were divided into six groups: normal group (no treatment), model group (ALD rats), Essentiale group (ALD rats fed with Essentiale, 137 mg/kg), and LREE high/moderate/low dose groups (ALD rats fed with 4, 2, or 1 g LREE/kg). NF-κB and LPS levels were evaluated. Liver pathological changes and intestinal ultrastructure were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy. The gut microbiota composition was evaluated by 16S rDNA sequencing. Expression levels of TLR4 and CD68 in liver tissue, and occludin and claudin-1 in intestinal tissue were measured. LREE treatment significantly reduced NF-κB and LPS levels, improved liver pathological changes, and ameliorated intestinal ultrastructure injury. Meanwhile, LREE-fed groups showed a higher abundance of Firmicutes and a lower abundance of Bacteroidetes than the rats in the model group. Administration of LREE suppressed TLR4 overexpression and promoted the expression of occludin and claudin-1 in intestine tissue. Thus, LREE could partly ameliorate microflora dysbiosis, suppress the inflammatory response, and attenuate liver injury in ALD rats. The protective effect of LREE might be related to the LPS-TLR4-NF-κB pathway.

Effects of Portulaca Oleracea Extract on Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury of Rats

“…Excessive drinking can lead to different degrees of alcoholic liver injury, which is reversible during early stages of liver injury. In this study, our liver injury model, which was induced by ethanol, is the usually used ALD animal model for evaluating the hepatoprotective effects of drugs [5,40,41,42]. Currently, liver injury can be evaluated by monitoring serum biomarkers such as ALT, AST and ALP [43].…”

Exploring the Active Components of Simotang Oral Liquid and Their Potential Mechanism of Action on Gastrointestinal Disorders by Integrating Ultrahigh-Pressure Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Linear Ion Trap-Orbitrap Analysis and Network Pharmacology

“… 70 In addition, LK has been reported to show a protective effect on the intestinal barrier, ameliorating gut microflora dysbiosis and attenuating inflammation. 71 According to the TCM theory, the combination use of these four herbs would achieve higher efficacy and fewer side effects compared with a single herb. Taken together, the various types of constituents contained in SMT exert their synergistic effects on GIDs through acting on multiple target genes/proteins on multiple pathways.…”

Characteristics of healthy and androgenetic alopecia scalp microbiome: Effect of Lindera strychnifolia roots extract as a natural solution for its modulation

“…Lindera strychnifolia is a traditional Chinese medicine, which contains sesquiterpene lactones, and has anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NF-kB and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation [31]. Recently, Lou et al [32] noted that Linderae radix ethanol extract (LREE) attenuates disturbance gut microbiota in liver disease via a prebiotic effect. Molinaro et al [33] reported that many sesquiterpene lactones have strong antimicrobial activity against important human pathogens.…”