Ruan LY, Li MH, Xing YX, Hong W, Chen C, Chen JF, Xu H, Zhao WL, Wang JS. Hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotection of Polygonum multiflorum Thund. as two sides of the same biological coin.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2019;
230:81-94. [PMID:
30416091 DOI:
10.1016/j.jep.2018.10.032]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Polygonum multiflorum Thund., a well-known and commonly-used TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) for treating hypertension, hyperlipidemia, premature graying of hair, and etc., has aroused wide concern for its reported potential liver toxicity. Due to its various active ingredients, the mechanisms underlying the hepatotoxicity of raw Polygonum multiflorum Thund (RPM) remain largely unknown.
AIM OF THE STUDY
1H NMR metabolomics was used to study the mechanism of RPM induced hepatotoxicity and disclosed the existence of hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotection conversion during RPM administration in mice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three dosages of RPM were administered by gavage to mice for consecutive 28 days. The serum and liver samples were collected and then subjected for histopathology observation, biochemical measurement and 1H NMR metabolic profiling.
RESULTS
RPM caused oxidative stress and mitochondria dysfunction in mice, resulting in significant disturbance in energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism and pyrimidine metabolism and also inducing inflammatory responses. RPM induced hepatotoxicity in an apparent non-linear manner: the most severe in low dosage group, and to a less extent in medium group according to metabolomics analysis. The attenuation of liver injury in mice livers might result from the therapeutic effects, such as anti-oxidative capacity of RPM components.
CONCLUSION
RPM exerted a complicated non-linear manner in healthy recipients, switching between hepatoxicity and hepatoprotection dependent on the dosage and status of the body.
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