Lemon Balm and Dandelion Leaf Extracts Synergistically Protect against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice

Abstract

Lemon balm and dandelion are commonly used medicinal herbs exhibiting numerous pharmacological activities that are beneficial for human health. In this study, we explored the protective effects of a 2:1 (w/w) mixture of lemon balm and dandelion extracts (MLD) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in mice. CCl4 (0.5 mL/kg; i.p.) injection inhibited body weight gain and increased relative liver weight. Pre-administration of MLD (50–200 mg/kg) for 7 days prevented these CCl4-mediated changes. In addition, histopathological analysis revealed that MLD synergistically alleviated CCl4-mediated hepatocyte degeneration and infiltration of inflammatory cells. MLD decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transferase activities and reduced the number of liver cells that stained positive for cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, suggesting that MLD protects against CCl4-induced hepatic damage via the inhibition of apoptosis. Moreover, MLD attenuated CCl4-mediated lipid peroxidation and protein nitrosylation by restoring impaired hepatic nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 mRNA levels and its dependent antioxidant activities. Furthermore, MLD synergistically decreased mRNA and protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 in the liver. Together, these results suggest that MLD has potential for preventing acute liver injury by inhibiting apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation.