Steamed ginseng shoot extract rich in less-polar ginsenosides ameliorated the acute hepatotoxicity caused by overdose of acetaminophen in mice

Protective effect of Tibetan medicine Qiwei Tiexie pills on liver injury induced by acetaminophen overdose: An integrated strategy of network pharmacology, metabolomics and transcriptomics

BACKGROUND

Drug-induced liver injury, particularly from acetaminophen (APAP), has emerged as a significant public health concern. Unfortunately, there is currently no effective treatment strategy available. Qiwei Tiexie pills (QWTX), a traditional Tibetan medicine, have demonstrated considerable clinical efficacy in treating various liver diseases. Nevertheless, the protective effect of QWTX against drug-induced liver injury and its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of QWTX, a Tibetan medicine, in an animal model of APAP-induced liver injury. Additionally, we sought to investigate the molecular mechanism through which QWTX exerts its effects.

METHODS

We employed LC-MS and network pharmacology to predict the potential targets of QWTX in drug-induced liver injury. Subsequently, we employed HE staining, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and qRT-PCR to analyze the mechanism underlying QWTX treatment in drug-induced liver injury.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology analysis revealed that the active components of QWTX are involved in inflammatory and drug metabolism-related pathways. In mouse models, pretreatment with QWTX effectively mitigated the elevated levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) induced by APAP overdose. Moreover, APAP inhibited 1459 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 874 differential accumulation metabolites (DAMs), while QWTX promoted their expression. Conversely, APAP promoted 874 genes and 119 metabolites, which were inhibited by QWTX. Further analysis demonstrated that QWTX ameliorated the metabolic disorders induced by APAP overdose and potentially exerted a protective effect by inhibiting the expression of critical genes in crucial inflammatory pathways. QWTX also up-regulated antioxidant enzymes, thereby mitigating the oxidative stress resulting from APAP overdose.

CONCLUSION

QWTX treatment effectively protects against APAP-induced liver damage in mice. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses further revealed that QWTX ameliorated hepatic metabolic disorders induced by APAP overdose while significantly suppressing the inflammatory response and oxidative stress associated with drug-induced liver injury. This study provides a new insight into the treatment of drug-induced liver injury by the TCM system and provides a basis for the development of new therapies for drug-induced liver injury by QWTX and its active ingredients.

Natural Products for Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury: A Review

The liver plays a vital role in metabolism, synthesis, and detoxification, but it is susceptible to damage from various factors such as viral infections, drug reactions, excessive alcohol consumption, and autoimmune diseases. This susceptibility is particularly problematic for patients requiring medication, as drug-induced liver injury often leads to underestimation, misdiagnosis, and difficulties in treatment. Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely used and safe drug in therapeutic doses but can cause liver toxicity when taken in excessive amounts. This study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of APAP and explore potential treatment strategies using a mouse model of APAP-induced liver injury. The study involved the evaluation of various natural products for their therapeutic potential. The findings revealed that natural products demonstrated promising hepatoprotective effects, potentially alleviating liver damage and improving liver function through various mechanisms such as oxidative stress and inflammation, which cause changes in signaling pathways. These results underscore the importance of exploring novel treatment options for drug-induced liver injury, suggesting that further research in this area could lead to the development of effective preventive and therapeutic interventions, ultimately benefiting patients with liver injury caused by medicine.

Processing technologies, phytochemistry, bioactivities and applications of black ginseng-a novel manufactured ginseng product: A comprehensive review

Black ginseng is a novel manufactured ginseng product, and the application of black ginseng products in market is increasing in recent years. Black ginseng is prepared by steaming and fermentation, but not as mature as processing red ginseng. Therefore, complete proposals for preparation techniques are firstly presented. Additionally, there are also abundant chemical components in black ginseng, including ginsenosides, polysaccharides, amino acids, polyphenols, flavonoids, etc. Among them, ginsenosides, polysaccharides and phenolic compounds are the main ingredients, making health benefits of black ginseng stronger than other ginseng products. Therefore, black ginseng as a functional food has come to the market in various forms, such as candies, tea, porridge, soup, etc. The improvement in nutrition, flavor, and safety has exhibited a broad prospect for black ginseng products in food industry. Accordingly, preparation technologies, phytochemistry, health benefits and application of black ginseng are comprehensively evaluated.

Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics confirmed hepatoprotective effects of steamed shoot extracts of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) on toxicity caused by overdosed acetaminophen

The study aimed, by integrating transcriptomics and metabolomics, to reveal novel biomarkers caused by overdosed acetaminophen (APAP) and liver protection substances procured by pre-administration of ginseng shoots extract (GSE). Totally 4918 genes and 127 metabolites were identified as differentially expressed genes and differential metabolites, respectively. According to KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment, such pathways as primary bile acid biosynthesis, bile secretion, retinol metabolism, histidine and several other amino-related metabolism were significantly altered by GSE and disturbed by subsequent overdosed APAP at the transcriptomic as well as metabolomic levels. Fifteen key biomarker metabolites related to these pathways were up-regulated in APAP-treated vs GSE-pretreated liver tissues, and were reported exerting anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and/or immunomodulate functions, three of which even possessed direct hepatoprotection effects. Twenty five vital unigenes modulating these metabolites were further verified by correlation analysis and expression levels of fifteen of them were examined by qRT-PCR. Our findings indicate that GSE may be an effective dietary supplement for preventing the liver damage caused by the overdosed APAP.