Protective Effect of the Total Triterpenes ofEuscaphis konishiiHayata Pericarp on Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Plus Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Liver Injury

Abstract

Background. Liver injury has been recognized as a primary cause of hepatic morbidity and mortality.Euscaphis konishiiHayata, also calledEuscaphis fukienensisHsu, is usually used as a detumescent and analgesic agent to improve liver function in South China, but its mechanism of action and chemical composition are unclear.Objective. The main aim of the study was to investigate the constituent and potential hepatoprotective mechanism of the total triterpenes ofE. konishiipericarp (TTEP).Methods.The constituent of TTEP was analyzed by a series of silica gel column to get single compounds and then identified by NMR and MS.In vitroassays were conducted to test the free radical scavenging activity of TTEP. The BCG/LPS-induced immunological livery injury mice model was established to clarify the hepatoprotective effect of TTEPin vivo.Results.8 pentacyclic triterpene acids were separated and identified by NMR and MS. TTEP treatment (50, 100, and 200 mg/Kg) improved the immune function of the BCG/LPS-infected mice, dose-dependently alleviated the BCG/LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, and ameliorated the hepatocyte apoptosis in the liver tissue.Conclusion. The pericarp ofE. konishiimay be further considered as a potent natural food for liver disease treatment.