Amelioration of alcohol-induced acute liver injury in C57BL/6 mice by a mixture of TCM phytochemicals and probiotics with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.

2023-03-07
Frontiers in nutrition 10

PubMed: 36960204
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1144589

Study Design

Population: mice
Methods: This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of TCM-probiotics complex (TCMPC) and its underlying mechanism for the treatment of ALI in mice. We first established a mouse model of alcohol-induced ALI, then the therapeutic effects of TCMPC on alcohol-induced ALI were monitored. A series of measurements have been performed on antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and lipid metabolism regulation.

Background

There are many causes of acute liver injury (ALI), such as alcohol, drugs, infection, and toxic materials, which have caused major health problems around the world. Among these causes, alcohol consumption induced liver injury is a common alcoholic liver disease, which can further lead to liver failure even liver cancer. A number of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and TCM derived compounds have been used in treating the liver-associated diseases and combination use of probiotics with TCM phytochemicals has attracted interests for enhanced biological effects.

Methods

This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of TCM-probiotics complex (TCMPC) and its underlying mechanism for the treatment of ALI in mice. The TCMPC is composed of TCM phytochemicals puerarin, curcumin, ginsenosides, and 5 lactobacteria strains. We first established a mouse model of alcohol-induced ALI, then the therapeutic effects of TCMPC on alcohol-induced ALI were monitored. A series of measurements have been performed on antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and lipid metabolism regulation.

Results

The results showed that TCMPC can reduce the level of liver injury biomarkers and regulate oxidative stress. Histopathological results indicated that TCMPC could ameliorate ALI in mice. In addition, it can also significantly reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines caused by ALI.

Conclusion

Our research has proved the therapeutic effect of TCMPC on alcohol-induced ALI. The potential mechanism of hepatoprotective effects of TCMPC may be related to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Our research might provide a new way for liver disease treatment.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus bulgaricus LB42	—	Reduced Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury	Beneficial	Moderate	View source TCMPC can reduce the level of liver injury biomarkers and regulate oxidative stress. Histopathological results indicated that TCMPC could ameliorate ALI in mice.
Lactobacillus bulgaricus LB42	—	Reduced Oxidative Stress	Beneficial	Moderate	View source The potential mechanism of hepatoprotective effects of TCMPC may be related to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.
Lactobacillus bulgaricus LB42	—	Reduced Proinflammatory Cytokine Production	Beneficial	Moderate	View source it can also significantly reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines caused by ALI.
Lactobacillus casei LC86	—	Reduced Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury	Beneficial	Moderate	View source TCMPC can reduce the level of liver injury biomarkers and regulate oxidative stress. Histopathological results indicated that TCMPC could ameliorate ALI in mice.
Lactobacillus casei LC86	—	Reduced Inflammation	Beneficial	Moderate	View source it can also significantly reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines caused by ALI.
Lactobacillus casei LC86	—	Reduced Oxidative Stress	Beneficial	Moderate	View source The potential mechanism of hepatoprotective effects of TCMPC may be related to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.