Protective effect of forsythiaside A on lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced liver injury

Forsythiaside A, an active constituent isolated from air-dried fruits of Forsythia suspensa, has been reported to have multiple pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and antioxidant activities. In the present study, the hepatoprotective effect of forsythiaside A was investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (GalN)-induced acute liver injury in mice. Mice acute liver injury model was induced by LPS (50 mu g/kg)/GalN (800 mg/kg). Forsythiaside A was administrated 1 h prior to LPS/GalN exposure. The results showed that forsythiaside A attenuated hepatic pathological damage, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and serum ALT, and AST levels induced by LPS/GalN. Moreover, forsythiaside A inhibited NF-kappa B activation, serum TNF-alpha and hepatic TNF-alpha levels induced by LPS/GalN. Furthermore, we found that forsythiaside A upregulated the expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1. Our results showed that forsythiaside A protected against LPS/GalN-induced liver injury through activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of NF-kappa B activation. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.