Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Analysis and Hepatoprotective Effect of Steamed Platycodi Radix on Acute Alcohol-induced Liver Injury

Background and Objective: Platycodi Radix (PR), a famous traditional medicine and folk food, has been used in China.PR exerted numerous pharmacological activities including anti-tumor, anti-obesity and anti-inflammation.The present study aimed to investigate the active constituents by Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis and protective effects of saponins from the steamed Platycodi Radix (SSPR) on acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.Materials and Methods: Pretreatment with SSPR (100, 200 and 400 mg kgG 1 ) prior to alcohol administration significantly prevented the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglyceride (TG) in serum, malondialdehyde (MDA) level in liver tissue compared with the alcohol group (p<0.05).Results: The level of enzymatic antioxidants glutathione (GSH) was increased noticeably (p<0.05) in SSPR pretreatment mice liver tissue.Histopathological examination revealed that pretreatment with 400 mg kgG 1 of SSPR markedly ameliorated acute alcohol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis and fatty degeneration.The findings from LC/MS analysis indicated that SSPR had more saponins than unheated-processed one and SSPR mainly contain a polyacetylene (Lobetyolin) and 22 saponins.Conclusion: These results showed the beneficial effect of SSPR on acute alcohol-induced oxidative stress and liver damage.