Hepatoprotective effect of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. on experimental liver injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride or D- galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide

Abstract

The hepatoprotective effects of the fruits of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. on chemically or immunologically induced experimental liver injury models were examined. The methanol extract showed significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-toxicity in rats and D-galactosamine (D- GalN)/lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in mice. The methanol extract also significantly protected against CCl4-toxicity in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Hepatoprotective activity-guided fractionation and chemical analysis led to the isolation of an active constituent. (+)-ampelopsin (1) from the methanol extract.