Protective effect of Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum) and its bioactive compounds against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury, in vivo

• Published in: Journal of functional foods 2016-10, Vol.26, p.585-597
• Main Authors: Chu, Chin-Chen, Chen, Shih-Ying, Chyau, Charng-Cherng, Fu, Zi-Han, Liu, Ching-Chih, Duh, Pin-Der
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioactive compounds; Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum); Glutathione; Hepatoprotection; Oxidative stress; Superoxide dismutase
• ISSN: 1756-4646; 2214-9414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2016.08.025

•Rutin, kaempferol, betanin and another nine compounds were identified in WECF.•WECF reduces ALT and AST levels in CCl4-treated rats.•Rutin, kaempferol and betanin inhibited TBARS and restored GSH levels.•WECF protects liver injury because it attenuates oxidative stress.•Bioactive compounds in WECF may be responsible for the hepatoprotection of WECF. The protective effect of water extracts of Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum) (WECF) and its bioactive compounds against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats was investigated. Rutin, kaempferol, betanin and another nine compounds were present in WECF using HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS/MS analyses. Oral administration of WECF to rats at 2.5 mg/kg bw for 28 consecutive days before a single dose of CCl4 demonstrated significantly lowered aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and attenuated histopathological changes in CCl4-treated rats. WECF inhibited lipid peroxidation, restored glutathione (GSH), enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced DNA damage in CCl4-treated rats. Rutin, kaempferol and betanin at 1.0 µg/kg bw restored GSH and reduced DNA damage in CCl4-treated rats. In addition, betanin increased SOD activity. Overall, WECF protects rat liver from CCl4-treated liver injury due mainly to attenuating oxidative stress. The presence of bioactive compounds in WECF may partly be responsible for the hepatoprotection of WECF.