The protective effects of a major constituent, 1beta-Hydroxyeuscaphic acid isolated from R. aleaefolius was first investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced injury in liver cells from hepatocytes cell line (BRL-3A).
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Following treatment with 1beta-Hydroxyeuscaphic acid at doses ranging from 1 to 100 µg/mL for 24 h, cellular morphology, cell growth function (MTT assay), ALT, AST, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed and evaluated under control and exposed conditions. The IC50 of 1beta-Hydroxyeuscaphic acid was 15 μg/mL. Exposure of injured BRL-3A at 20 μg/mL changed abnormal size, cellular shrinkage, and enhanced regulation. ALT, AST, MDA enzyme levels were reduced and SOD activity was increased. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with 1beta-Hydroxyeuscaphic acid has significant hepatoprotective activity by lowering the leakage of intracellular enzymes, reducing the oxidation of proteins and decreasing the incidence of apoptosis. These results provide a basis for confirming the traditional uses of R. aleaefolius in treating hepatic diseases. |