J Appl Biomed 21:91-98, 2023 | DOI: 10.32725/jab.2023.008

Shanshan Qi1, Beibei Lin1, Sanqiao Wu1, Hao Hao1, Hongxin Zheng1, Xiang Liu1, Xiaoying Zhang1, Lijuan Yue2 *, Chen Chen1, * 1Shaanxi University of Technology, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province, 723000, China 2Hanzhong Central Hospital, Department of Oncology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi, 723000, China

This research demonstrated the protective effect and possible mechanism of the Sophora viciifolia extract (SVE) against acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice. The levels of ALT and AST in the serum and antioxidant enzyme activity in the liver were measured. We used immunohistochemistry to detect CYP2E1, Nrf2, and Keap1 protein expression in the liver. The mRNA expression in the liver of TNF-α, NF-κB, and IL-6, Nrf2 and its downstream genes HO-1 and GCLC were measured by qRT-PCR. We found that SVE could decrease the ALT and AST levels, promote the activities of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GSH, and ameliorate pathological liver lesions. SVE could down-regulate the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors and up-regulate Nrf2, HO-1 and GCLC. SVE reduced the protein expression of the CYP2E1 and increased the Nrf2 and Keap1. SVE has been shown to have a protective effect against APAP-induced liver injury, possibly through activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway.

Keywords: Acetaminophen (APAP); Keap1-Nrf2; Liver injury; Sophora viciifolia fruit extract Grants and funding:

This work was supported by the Shaanxi Province Key Research and Development Plan (grant number 2016NY-161 and 2023-XCZX-14) and the Incubation Project on State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment of Qinba Areas [grant number SXC-2301]. The fund sponsor did not participate in the design and research of the article.

Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.

Qi S, Lin B, Wu S, Hao H, Zheng H, Liu X, et al.. The hepatoprotective effect of Sophora viciifolia fruit extract against acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice. J Appl Biomed. 2023;21(2):91-98. doi:10.32725/jab.2023.008. PubMed PMID:37212153.