Study on the pharmacodynamic substances and mechanism of hepatoprotection of Acanthus ilicifolius Linn.

BACKGROUND

The coastal wetland mangrove plant Acanthus ilicifolius l. (AI) is used as traditional medicine for liver protection and liver fibrosis treatment, but the pharmacodynamics of the hepatoprotective substance and the mechanisms of liver protection are not clear.

PURPOSE: This work aimed to assess the liver-protective ability of AI and elucidate the pharmacodynamics of the hepatoprotective substance of AI responsible for its liver activity.

STUDY DESIGN AND

METHODS

This study first appraised the hepatoprotective activity of the alcohol extract of AI. To identify the hepatoprotective substance in AI, network topology and the contribution index were comprehensively analyzed and screened. The screened medicinal substances, acteoside (ACT) and isoacteoside (IACT), were tested for hepatoprotective activity using mouse liver damage model and l-02 hepatocyte injury model, and metabolomics was employed to explore the mechanism of liver protection.

RESULTS

AI could restore the biochemical indicators of liver damage induced by CCl4 to normal conditions. The phenylethanoid glycoside compounds ACT and IACT, are the hepatoprotective substances of AI. ACT protects the liver tissue by regulating α-linolenic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and amino acid-related pathway.

CONCLUSION

This research provides basic information of the research and development of liver-protective effects of AI and ACT.