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

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 mu g/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. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.