Hepatoprotection using Brassica rapa var. rapa L. seeds and its bioactive compound, sinapine thiocyanate, for CCl4-induced liver injury

The hepatoprotective effect of Brassica rapa seeds was evaluated. The antioxidant activities of extracts were determined using total phenolic content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and reducing power assays. Hepatoprotective effects were evaluated using CCl4-induced mouse liver damage animal model. Identification and quantification of the compound were based on ultra performance liquid chromatographic (UPLC) analysis. All extracts of Brassica rapa seeds exhibited high phenolic contents and strong antioxidant activities. The activities were in the order of ethanol extract ≥ 50% ethanol extract>water extract. All the three extracts showed effective hepatoprotection. They could ameliorate liver damage and improve the antioxidant defense system. Sinapine thiocyanate was the main component and was hepatoprotective in a dose-dependent manner. These findings imply that Brassica rapa seeds could be developed as a functional food for hepatoprotection.