The protective effects of total saponins from Ornithogalum saundersiae (Liliaceae) on acute hepatic failure induced by lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance: This study examined the protective effects of total saponins from Ornithogalum saundersiae (Liliaceae) on D-galactosamine (D-GaIN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - induced fulminant hepatic failure. Materials and methods: Total saponins of Ornithogalum saundersiae (Liliaceae) (OC) were prepared with ethyl alcohol extract from bulbs of the plant. Mice were given an intraperitoneal injection of D-GaIN (700 mg/kg)/LPS (10 mu g/kg). OC (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) was administered orally for 3 days continuously, and at the last day at 1 h before the D-GaIN/LPS injection. Mice were sacrificed at 8 h after the n-GaIN/LPS injection. The liver injury was assessed biochemically, investigating aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) activities, and the expressions of caspase-3 and hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) as well. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) content was measured after D-GaIN/LPS induced 1 h by ELISA assay. The survival rates after application of OC in 24 h also were observed. Results: D-GaIN/LPS increased the serum aminotransferase levels and lipid peroxidation, while decreased the reduced glutathione level. The pretreatment with OC attenuated these changes in a dose-dependent manner. Elevation of TNF-alpha level and activation of caspase-3, HIF-1 alpha were observed in the D-GaIN/LPS group, which was attenuated by OC. The survival rate of the OC groups was significantly higher than that of the D-GaIN/LPS group. Conclusions: Protection afforded by OC against n-GaIN/LPS-induced fulminant hepatic failure is the result of reduced oxidative stress, inhibited expression of caspase-3, HIF-1 alpha, and anti-apoptotic activity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.