Characterizations and hepatoprotective effect of polysaccharides from Mori Fructus in rats with alcoholic-induced liver injury

Effects of in vitro simulated digestion and fecal fermentation on the structure and regulating the glucose and lipid activity of a polysaccharide from Mori Folium

Mori folium, as a homologous drug-food, has hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering activity. Polysaccharides are the main bioactive ingredient of the Mori folium that exhibit diverse biological activities. In this study, a homogeneous polysaccharide (MP4) was purified and characterized from Mori folium. The changes of MP4 affected by saliva, simulated gastrointestinal juice, and human fecal fermentation, including physicochemical property or its bioactivity, were systematically investigated. Meanwhile, the influence of fermentation on the bioactivity were evaluated. The results showed that the backbone of MP4 is mainly composed of →4)-α-D-GalpA-(1→ residues. The molecular weight, the levels of reducing sugar content and free monosaccharides of MP4 exhibited no significant differences indicating that gastrointestinal digestion has a minimal effect on the physicochemical characteristics of MP4. However, during in vitro gut microbiota fermentation, MP4 are significantly degraded and utilized by gut microbiota, showing increased the production of short-chain fatty acids, notably acetic acid and propionic acid. The relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria were significantly increased, whereas the levels of pathogenic bacteria such as Fusobacteria and Megamonas were significantly decreased, which changed the composition of the gut microbiota. The Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio was also decreased significantly. Interestingly, after in vitro fermentation, the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was increased, the lipase inhibitory activity and cholesterol adsorption activity was decreased. Correlation analysis showed that the relative abundance of some bacteria was significantly correlated with the bioactivities. These results provide a basis for the development of Mori folium polysaccharides as functional probiotic products.

Polysaccharides in fruits: Biological activities, structures, and structure-activity relationships and influencing factors-A review

Fruits are a rich source of polysaccharides, and an increasing number of studies have shown that polysaccharides from fruits have a wide range of biological functions. Here, we thoroughly review recent advances in the study of the bioactivities, structures, and structure-activity relationships of fruit polysaccharides, especially highlighting the structure-activity influencing factors such as extraction methods and chemical modifications. Different extraction methods cause differences in the primary structures of polysaccharides, which in turn lead to different polysaccharide biological activities. Differences in the degree of modification, molecular weight, substitution position, and chain conformation caused by chemical modification can all affect the biological activities of fruit polysaccharides. Furthermore, we summarize the applications of fruit polysaccharides in the fields of pharmacy and medicine, foods, cosmetics, and materials. The challenges and perspectives for fruit polysaccharide research are also discussed.

The antioxidant peptides from walnut protein hydrolysates and their protective activity against alcoholic injury

In this study, walnut protein was hydrolyzed, separated by ultrafiltration, purified by RP-HPLC, identified by LC-MS/MS, and screened by molecular docking to finally obtain three novel antioxidant peptides HGEPGQQQR (1189.584 Da), VAPFPEVFGK (1089.586 Da) and HNVADPQR (949.473 Da). These three peptides exhibited excellent cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) with EC50 values of 0.0120 mg mL-1, 0.0068 mg mL-1, and 0.0069 mg mL-1, respectively, which were superior to that of the positive control GSH (EC50: 0.0122 mg mL-1). In the ethanol injury model, three antioxidant peptides enhanced the survival of cells treated with ethanol from 47.36% to 62.69%, 57.06% and 71.64%, respectively. Molecular docking results showed that the three antioxidant peptides could effectively bind to Keap1, CYP2E1 and TLR4 proteins. These results suggested that walnut-derived antioxidant peptides could be potential antioxidants and hepatoprotective agents for application in functional foods.

Extraction, purification, structural modification, activities and application of polysaccharides from different parts of mulberry

The mulberry plant is a member of the Moraceae family and belongs to the Morus genus. Its entire body is a treasure, with mulberries, mulberry leaves, and mulberry branches all suitable for medicinal use. The main active ingredient in mulberries is mulberry polysaccharide. Studies have shown that polysaccharides from different parts of mulberry exhibit antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and blood pressure-lowering properties. There are more studies on the biological activities, extraction methods, and structural characterization of polysaccharides from different parts of mulberry. However, the structural characterization of mulberry polysaccharides is mostly confined to the types and proportions of monosaccharides and the molecular weights of polysaccharides, and there are fewer systematic studies on polysaccharides from different parts of mulberry. In order to better understand the bioactive structure of mulberry polysaccharides, this article discusses the recent research progress in the extraction, separation, purification, bioactivity, structural modification, and application of polysaccharides from different parts of mulberry (mulberry leaves, mulberry fruits, and mulberry branches). It also delves into the pharmacological mechanisms of action of mulberry polysaccharides to provide a theoretical basis for further research on mulberry polysaccharides with a view to their deeper application in the fields of feed and nutraceuticals.

The protective effect of Nostoc commune Vauch. polysaccharide on alcohol-induced acute alcoholic liver disease and gut microbiota disturbance in mice

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the incidence of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) has gradually increased, the development of ALD is attached great attentions. Nostoc commune Vauch. polysaccharide (NCVP) is beneficial to maintain the gut health, but the protective effect of NCVP on the liver has not been reported yet.

PURPOSE

To study the protective effect and the underlying mechanisms of NCVP on ALD, a mouse model of acute ALD was established.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We built an acute ALD mouse model and explored the protective effect of NCVP through the detection of cytokines, histological examination, determination of short chain fatty acids, and 16S rRNA analysis of gut microbiota.

RESULTS

NCVP had hepatoprotective effects on acute alcohol-induced mice by improving antioxidant capacity, reducing oxidative stress and the serum cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α). Simultaneously, histopathological changes in liver indicated that NCVP could inhibit local hepatocyte necrosis, cytoplasmic vacuolation and inflammatory cell infiltration induced by alcohol. NCVP also increased the level of total short-chain fatty acids of acute ALD mice. In addition, NCVP could significantly decrease the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and the abundance of Patescibacteria, Helicobacter, and Actinomycetes and increase the abundance of Lachospiraceae, Prevotellaceae-UCG-003, Lactobacillaceae, and Desulfovibrio.

CONCLUSION

Our study proved that NCVP had in vivo hepatoprotective effect on acute ALD mice and provided scientific evidences that NCVP might be a promising drug candidate for the prevention and treatment of ALD.

Mori fructus aqueous extracts attenuates liver injury by inhibiting ferroptosis via the Nrf2 pathway

BACKGROUND

Liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinogenesis secondary to liver fibrosis are serious liver diseases with no effective treatments. Mori fructus aqueous extracts (MFAEs) have served as successful treatments for many types of liver injury including fibrosis although the molecular mechanisms are unknown at present.

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of MFAEs in alleviating acute and chronic liver injury and tried to decipher the underlying mechanism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mice were divided into 5 groups (n = 8) for acute (groups: control, 0.3% CCl₄, bifendate (BD), 100 and 200 mg/kg MFAEs, 7 d) and chronic (groups: control, 10% CCl₄, BD, 100 and 200 mg/kg MFAEs, 4 weeks) liver injury study. Each mouse was injected intraperitoneally with 10 µL/g corn oil containing CCl₄ expect the control group. HepG2 cells were used in vitro study. Eighteen communal components were identified by UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS. We utilized a mouse model for acute and chronic liver injury using CCl₄ and MFAEs administration effectively blocked fibrosis and significantly inhibited inflammation in the liver. MFAEs activated the nuclear factor erythroid derived 2 like 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) pathway and promoted the synthesis of the antioxidants glutathione (GSH), superoxidedismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) that resulted in reduced levels of CCl₄-induced oxidative stress molecules including reactive oxygen species. These extracts administered to mice also inhibited ferroptosis in the liver by regulating the expression of Acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), thus reducing the occurrence of liver fibrosis. Both in vivo and in vitro tests indicated that the mechanism of MFAEs protection against liver fibrosis was linked to activation of Nrf2 signaling. These effects were blocked in vitro by the addition of a specific Nrf2 inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

MFAEs inhibited oxidative stress, ferroptosis and inflammation of the liver by activating Nrf2 signal pathway and provided a significant protective effect against CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis.

Polysaccharides from Medicine and Food Homology Materials: A Review on Their Extraction, Purification, Structure, and Biological Activities

Medicine and food homology (MFH) materials are rich in polysaccharides, proteins, fats, vitamins, and other components. Hence, they have good medical and nutritional values. Polysaccharides are identified as one of the pivotal bioactive constituents of MFH materials. Accumulating evidence has revealed that MFH polysaccharides (MFHPs) have a variety of biological activities, such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, hepatoprotective, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and radioprotective activities. Consequently, the research progress and future prospects of MFHPs must be systematically reviewed to promote their better understanding. This paper reviewed the extraction and purification methods, structure, biological activities, and potential molecular mechanisms of MFHPs. This review may provide some valuable insights for further research regarding MFHPs.

Beneficial Effects of Jujube Juice Fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum NXU19009 on Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury in Mice

Red jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is an important fruit that has the concomitant function of both medicine and food. It has been proven to be rich in various bioactive components. In the present study, jujube juice was fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum NXU19009 to enhance the flavor and nutritional benefits. Its potential for the prevention and treatment of acute alcohol induced-liver injury in mice was examined in this study. The results showed that the administration of the fermented jujube juice along with alcohol significantly decreased (p < 0.01) the liver indices, as well as the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), total triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum. In contrast, the levels of liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in mice administered with fermented jujube juice were found to increase significantly (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the administration of fermented jujube juice in mice was found to alter their intestinal microbiota and an improvement was observed based on the results obtained in the histopathology examination. Therefore, Jujube juice fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum NXU19009 protects against liver injury and may prove to be an effective supplement to attenuate acute alcoholic liver injury.

Mulberry fruit polysaccharides alleviate diethylnitrosamine/phenobarbital-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo: the roles of cell apoptosis and inflammation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, and chemoprevention represents a feasible treatment to reduce the mortality of this carcinoma. Mulberry fruit polysaccharides (MFP) possess immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, which have been reported to alleviate liver damage evoked by CCl4 or alcohol in previous reports. However, its chemopreventive effect against liver carcinogenesis is insufficient. The present study was aimed to investigate the possible role of MFP as a pro-apoptosis, and anti-inflammatory agent to possess its chemoprevention property. Hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by diethylnitrosamine/phenobarbital (DEN/PB) for 14 weeks. The DEN/PB-administered rats were co-treated with different doses of MFP (50 or 100 mg/kg body weight) by oral gavage for 14 weeks. Basic hepatic function indexes (AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total bilirubin, and albumin), and hepatic tumor biomarkers (AFP, CEA, and CA19.9), together with histological assessment were performed. Besides, the hepatic apoptosis markers (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase3, and caspase9), inflammation markers (IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB), and mutT homologue gene 1 (MTH1) were examined. Oral gavage of MFP inhibited the elevations of hepatic function indexes and hepatic tumor biomarkers and alleviated pathological changes in hepatic tissue. In addition, the hepatic apoptosis markers, inflammation markers, and the mRNA level of MTH1 were abnormal in DEN/PB group, which were reversed by MFP treatment. In conclusion, MFP is an effective agent that provides chemoprevention against DEN/PB-evoked hepatocarcinogenesis via inhibition of inflammation and induction of apoptosis.

Mori Fructus Polysaccharides Attenuate Alcohol-Induced Liver Damage by Regulating Fatty Acid Synthesis, Degradation and Glycerophospholipid Metabolism in Mice

Mori Fructus polysaccharides (MFP) are macromolecules extracted from Mori Fructus (MF), which has the biological activity of anti-liver damage. Our group found that MFP maybe down regulate the serum triglyceride level in mice with alcohol-induced liver damage, suggesting that MFP can regulate lipid metabolism, but its specific mechanism is still not clear. Fifty SPF-ICR male mice weighing 18–22 g were randomly divided into five groups, blank group, model group, bifendate group, MFPA1 group and MFPB1 group. The blood and liver tissues were taken from mice for nontargeted lipidomic analysis and histopathological examination after 7 day’s treatment. The histopathological changes indicated that the normal liver cells were intact and regular, with orderly arrangement and distinct cell boundaries; the liver of model mice showed inflammatory infiltration, ballooning degeneration in the cells and small lipid drops; the liver of mice in the bifendate, MFPA1 and MFPB1 groups showed similar symptoms to those of model mice, but the lesions were less severe and the ballooning degeneration were reduced. Multivariate analysis of all lipids in the serum of five groups of mice showed there were obvious differences in lipid metabolism between the model group and the blank group. At the same time, seven kinds of differential lipids were precisely identified after screening, including prostaglandins, long-chain fatty acids, glycerophospholipids, acyl carnitines. In summary, alcohol intake and MFP intervention have significant effects on fatty acid synthesis, degradation and glycerophospholipid metabolism.

Recent advances on bioactive polysaccharides from mulberry

Mulberry (Moraceae family), commonly considered as a folk remedy, has a long history of usage in many regions of the world. Polysaccharides regarded as one of the major components in mulberry plants, and they possess antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, prebiotic, immunomodulatory and antitumor properties, among others. In recent decades, mulberry polysaccharides have been widely studied for their multiple health benefits and potential economic value. However, there are few reviews providing updated information on polysaccharides from mulberry. In this review, recent advances in the study of isolation, purification, structural characterization, biological activity and the structure-activity relationship of mulberry polysaccharides are summarized and discussed. Furthermore, a thorough analysis of the current trends and perspectives on mulberry polysaccharides is also proposed. Hopefully, these findings can provide a useful reference value for the development and application of natural polysaccharides in the field of functional food and medicine in the future.

Untargeted lipidomics analysis of Mori Fructus polysaccharide on acute alcoholic liver injury in mice using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap-high resolution mass spectrometry

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mori Fructus (MF) is a traditional Chinese medicine with long application history, which has protective effects on liver diseases. Mori Fructus polysaccharide (MFP) is one of the active ingredients of MF and possesses therapeutic effects against acute alcoholic liver injury. Recent researches have reported that the therapeutic effects of MFP might be related to the regulation of several lipid metabolic pathways. However, the mechanism of lipid metabolism was still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effect of MFP on lipid metabolism in mice with acute alcoholic liver injury, and to enrich the application of its hepatoprotective effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Kunming (KM) male mice were divided into five groups randomly, including normal control group, model group, bifendate positive group (220 mg/ kg), MFPA1 group (50 mg/ kg) and MFPB1 group (50 mg/ kg). A model of acute alcoholic liver injury was established by treating the mice with ethanol. The liver sections were processed and histopathological changes was observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. The secretion levels of biochemical indexes in the liver and serum were assayed by ELISA. The untargeted lipidomics analysis was performed on a Q Exactive Focus quadrupole orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry coupled with a Dionex Ultimate 3000 RSLC (HPG) ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS) system (Thermo Fisher Scientific), with a HESI ionization source.

RESULTS

It was observed that abnormal glutamic-pyruvic transaminase enzyme (ALT), glutamic-oxaloacetic aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were ameliorated after irrigation of MFP or bifendate. Histopathology examination showed that intragastric infusion of MFP can be helpful in the repair of damaged liver in mice. The multivariate analysis of hepatic lipids showed segregation of ethanol-fed groups from the normal controls. After the comparison of mass spectra, 10 lipids were found to have different content in the normal control group and the model group. Differential lipids that were increased by ethanol exposure included fatty acids, phosphatidylcholine, and lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine, whereas lyso-phosphatidylcholine decreased. Among them, 4 lipids almost returned to the level of normal mice after MFP treatment.

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic effect of MFP on acute alcoholic liver injury may be achieved by regulating a variety of metabolic pathways, including linoleic acid metabolism, α - linolenic acid metabolism, and glycerolphospholipid metabolism. These results revealed that MFP efficiently exerted hepatoprotective benefits, and its potential effect was associated with the amelioration of lipid metabolism.

Effects of dietary white mulberry leaves on hemato-biochemical alterations, immunosuppression and oxidative stress induced by Aeromonas hydrophila in Oreochromis niloticus

The present work was designed to assess the potential hemato-biochemical protective action, immunemodulatory and antioxidant conclusions of varied concentration of white mulberry Morus alba leaves (MAL) extract supplementation on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis .niloticus). A total two hundred and forty of O. niloticus were haphazardly sorted into four groups. The control (CT) group was fed on basal diet. A group MAL₁, MAL₃ and MAL₅ was fed on 1, 3 and 5 g/kg MAL respectively for thirty days. On day thirty one, half of replicates in each group were challenged by 0.5 ml × 10⁸Aeromonas hydrophila where, the residual replicates were kept without challenge. A. hydrophila challenged tilapias revealed anemia that alleviated by supplementation with 5 g/kg MAL also, recovers the shift of leucogram prompted by the challenge. Elevation of alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases, lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde (ALP, ALT, AST, LDH and MDA) in CT, MAL₁ and MAL₃ in the challenged replicates respectively where within normal at MAL₅. Supplementation with MAL₅ showed more potent antioxidant and immune reaction than MAL₁ and MAL₃. There were a rapid increase of immunoglobulin M, lysozymes, nitric oxide, catalase and superoxide dismutase and their allied genes expression (IgM, CAT and SOD) in MAL groups with contrast in CT challenged groups. Where in challenged groups, there was suppression in genes expression of interleukins (8 and 1 beta) and interferon ɤ (IL8. IL-1β and INFɤ). Tilapias challenged by A. hydrophila unveiled plentiful surge in the percentage of mortality in CT challenged fish (80%), followed by the groups supplemented with MAL₁ and MAL₃ were (73.33%) where MAL₅ was 20%. The mortalities have been halted from the 6^th, 13^th, 14^th and 15^th days in, MAL₅, MAL₃, MAL₁, and CT correspondingly. These previous results could be fulfilled that using of MAL 5 g/kg protect tilapias from hemato-biochemical alterations and enhance its immune feedback, antioxidant defense and resistance against A. hydrophila.

The structural characteristics, antioxidant and hepatoprotection activities of polysaccharides from Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. leaves

This work aimed to investigate the structural characteristics, antioxidant activities and hepatoprotection effect of Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. leaves polysaccharides (COP) on alcohol-induced oxidative damage in mice. Physical and chemical analysis showed that COP contained four monosaccharides including arabinose (Ara), mannose (Man), glucose (Glu) and galactose (Gal), with mass percentages of 26.6%, 5.1%, 32.2% and 36.0%, respectively, which was a heteropolysaccharide with both α- and β- configurations. In vivo experiments indicated that oral administration COP significantly reduced the levels of ALT, AST and MDA in serum, and significantly increased the activity of SOD and GSH-Px. Mice pretreated with COP had a higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in liver and lower content of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in the liver and serum when compared with alcohol exposure. In addition, the liver histopathological changes induced by alcohol returned to normal in the COP pretreatment group. These results suggest that COP has a protective effect on acute liver injury induced by alcohol.

Antrodin A from mycelium of Antrodia camphorata alleviates acute alcoholic liver injury and modulates intestinal flora dysbiosis in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Antrodia camphorata (A. camphorata) is a rare functional fungus in Taiwan and contains a variety of biologically active ingredients. Antrodin A (AdA) is one of the main active ingredients in the solid-state fermented A. camphorata mycelium. It protects the liver from alcohol damage by improving the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of the liver and maintaining the stability of the intestinal flora.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activities of ethyl acetate layer extract (EALE), AdA, and Antroquinonol (Aq) from mycelium of A. camphorata on alcoholic liver injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were given with intragastrically vehicle (NC, 2% CMC-Na), alcohol (AL, 12 mL/kg bw), or different A. camphorata samples (EALE, AdA, Aq) at low (100 mg/kg bw) or high (200 mg/kg bw) dosages. The positive control (PC) group was given with silymarin (200 mg/kg bw). Except the NC group, each group of mice was fasted for 4 h after the last treatment and was intragastrically administrated with 50% alcohol (12 mL/kg bw). At the end of experiment, mouse serum was collected and the liver was excised. A portion of the liver was fixed in formalin and used for histopathological analysis, whereas the rest was used for biochemical analysis and real-time PCR analysis. The intestinal flora structure of feces was analyzed by determining the v3-v4 region sequence in 16S rDNA.

RESULTS

The high-dose groups of the three samples (EALEH, AdAH, and AqH) significantly alleviated the alcohol-induced increases in liver index, serum ALT, AST, and AKP activities. Serum TG level was significantly reduced in all treatment groups. The increase of HDL-C content indicated that active ingredients of A. camphorata could reduce the lipid content in serum. Furthermore, MDA contents of the AdAH and AqH groups in liver were significantly reduced, accompanying with the levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH elevated to various extents. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities in the liver were increased in the AdAH group, as evidenced by the mRNA expression levels of Nrf-2 and HO-1 were significantly increased; while those of CYP2e1, TNF-α, and TLR-4 were significantly decreased. Analysis of intestinal flora of feces showed that alcohol treatment significantly changed the composition of intestinal flora. Supplementation with AdA could mitigate dysbiosis of intestinal flora induced by alcohol. Flora of Faecalibaculum, Lactobacillus, and Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002 showed significantly negative correlations with ALT, AST, AKP, and MDA levels.

CONCLUSION

Antrodin A could improve the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of the liver and maintain the stability of intestinal flora. It is potentially a good candidate compound against acute alcoholic liver injury.

Resource, chemical structure and activity of natural polysaccharides against alcoholic liver damages

Many natural polysaccharides from bio-resources hold advantages of multi-functions, high efficiency, non-toxicity or low side effect, and have strong potentials in protection against alcoholic liver damages. This review summarized the bio-resources, chemical and structural characteristics of natural polysaccharides with potentials in inhibition against alcoholic liver damages, and also emphasized knowledge on correlations between their chemical structure and function. Approximately 95 species were confirmed in generation of hepatoprotective polysaccharides. Products as crude polysaccharides originated from 17 species were sum up despite the indetermination of their accurate structure. Additional four polysaccharides were described for their known chemical structures. Possible roles of hepatoprotective polysaccharides were provided with evidence on antioxidant promotion, lipids regulation, apoptosis inhibition and anti-inflammation, as well as confirmations in immune enhancement, iron removal and anti-fibrosis when currently treated against the alcoholic liver damages. To sum up, this overview could serve to guide development and utilization of natural hepatoprotective polysaccharides.

Protective Actions of Acidic Hydrolysates of Polysaccharide Extracted From Mactra veneriformis Against Chemical-Induced Acute Liver Damage

The present study aimed to explore the hepatoprotective effects of acidic hydrolysates of polysaccharide extracted from the marine clam M. veneriformis (Ah-MVPS) against ethanol- and CCl4-induced liver damage. Moreover, we also seek to probe the mechanism associated with the liver protection effect of Ah-MVPS. A series of animal and cell experiments were executed to detect suitable serological and histological indicators in hepatic tissues. Ah-MVPS can significantly reduce liver damage by means of an increase in hepatocyte superoxidase dismutase and inhibition of leakages of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase, as well as through alleviation of malondialdehyde excalation. Ah-MVPS inhibited steatosis and water-like hepatic deterioration in histological examination. They can suppress membrane destruction in boundaries and the collapse of reticular scaffolds of injured mouse hepatocytes and can substantially reduce the inflammatory extent of liver tissue aroused by excessive intake of ethanol or CCl4. In cell assays, Ah-MVPS markedly elevated the viability of L-02 cells exposed to an intoxication of ethanol or H2O2. The beneficial effect of Ah-MVPS might arise, at least in part, because of the amelioration of peroxidation or oxidative stress. Taken together, our findings reveal that Ah-MVPS have potential for development as protective agents to attenuate acute liver injuries.

Study on the extraction, purification, partial chemical characterization and anti-alcohol liver injury activity of Mori Fructus polysaccharides

Mori Fructus (MF) is a fruit rich in many nutrients.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) polysaccharides attenuate high-fat diet induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via AMPK activation

Chicory polysaccharides (CP) from Cichorium intybus L. roots were extracted and fractionated to isolate two novel polysaccharide fractions, CP-1 and CP-2. CP-1 is a heteropolysaccharide that is mainly composed of sorbin, glucose, fructose, and glucitol at a molar ratio of 1.00:5.58:13.97:10.32. The molecular weight of CP-1 was 8511.4 Da. The hepatoprotective effect of CP-1 was investigated in a rat model of high-fat diet induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rats. Results indicated that the oral administration of CP-1 significantly decreased body weight and liver index in NAFLD rats. CP-1 also significantly increased serum levels of SOD and HDLC, and decreased the levels of ALT, AST, TG, TC, LDL-C, GLU, ALP, LDH, and MDA in NAFLD rats. Meanwhile, CP-1 effectively decreased MDA, TC, and TG, and increased SOD and T-AOC in the livers of NAFLD rats. Furthermore, CP-1 also increased the hepatic expression of p-AMPKα, ATGL, CPT-1, and p-ACC, and reduced the hepatic expression of ACC, FAS, and SCD-1. Moreover, histopathological examination of the livers showed that CP-1 significantly ameliorated the symptoms of NAFLD rats. Therefore, CP-1 significantly attenuated the high-fat diet-induced NAFLD in rats via AMPK activation.