Protective effect of Allium ochotense Prokh. extract against ethanol-induced cytotoxicity

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of aqueous and 60% ethanol extracts of Allium ochotense Prokh. against alcohol-induced cytotoxicity as well as on the activities of alcohol-metabolic enzymes. Antioxidant effects of the extracts were analyzed using 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazl, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and malondialdehyde assays, and found that both extracts exhibited considerable antioxidant activities. Additionally, both extracts showed synergistic effects on the activities of alcohol-metabolic enzymes, such as alcohol dehydrogenase, but not on the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase. In addition, 2’-7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays revealed that aqueous and 60% ethanol extracts reduced oxidative stress and increased cell viability. Moreover, both extracts regulated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, namely B-cell lymphoma (BCl-2), BCl-2 associated X (BAX), and pro-caspase-3, in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, aqueous and 60% ethanol extracts of A. ochotense Prokh. might be valuable functional materials derived from natural resources for the prevention of ethanol-induced cytotoxicity.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Allium ochotense Extracts on Chronic Alcohol-Induced Fatty Liver and Hepatic Inflammation in C57BL/6 Mice

“…Contrary to such reports, knowledge regarding the mechanism of the protective effect of A. ochotense extract against alcohol-induced liver toxicity is limited. Findings from our previous study confirmed the in vitro antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of A. ochotense extract against ethanol-induced hepatocyte toxicity using A. ochotense extract [11]. Based on these preliminary findings, A. ochotense extract was used in this study to examine the mechanism of the effect of improvement of lipid metabolism disorders and alcoholic hepatitis in the liver of alcohol-induced experimental animals.…”

“…A. ochotense leaves have been reported to be rich in flavonoids including kaempferol, quercetin, and astragalin, as well as phenolic compounds such as ferulic acid [11]. Kestose and raffinose, kaempferol di-glucoside isomer, quercetin glucoside isomer, and kaempferol glucoside isomer have also been identified in EA (Figure 2 and Table 1).…”

“…According to a previous in vitro study, treatment with A. ochotense extract appeared to influence the increased ADH activity rather than ALDH. In particular, arginine detected in A. ochotense appeared to influence the activity of enzymes related to alcohol metabolism [11]. In addition, the leaves of Hovenia Dulcis contain flavonol tri-glycosides such as kaempferol and quercetin, and the plant extract has been reported to reduce the levels of blood alcohol, promote elimination of alcohol, and prevent dysfunction associated with alcohol abuse [13].…”

“…Additionally, it is reported that JNK, which is phosphorylated by various stresses such as inflammatory stimuli and ROS, phosphorylates pro-apoptotic proteins such as BCl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (BIM) protein, which activates BAX through inactivation of BCl-2 in the mitochondrial intrinsic apoptosis pathway [37]. In particular, disruption of the BAX/BCl-2 balance in the mitochondrial membrane can promote the release of cytochrome C into the cytoplasm, and cleaved caspase 3 and caspase 9 can be used as reliable indicators to determine the severity of cell death [11,14]. By contrast, activated Akt can phosphorylate BAD, BCl-2, which has an association with the anti-apoptosis protein, thus BCl-2 can inhibit BAX-induced apoptosis [37].…”

“…Previous studies have reported that the extract from this plant can exhibit anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, and anti-hepatotoxic activity, and contains flavonoids, steroid saponins, and sulfur compounds [9,10]. In particular, one study reported that A. ochotense leaves are rich in flavonoids including kaempferol, quercetin, and astragalin, as well as phenolic compounds such as ferulic acid [11]. Contrary to such reports, knowledge regarding the mechanism of the protective effect of A. ochotense extract against alcohol-induced liver toxicity is limited.…”