Effect of Notoginseng Extracts and Its Components on Lipopolysaccharide and Galactosamine Mixture-induced Impaired Hepatic Function in Mice

The protective effects of notoginseng against hepatic damage were investigated in mice. To prepare a model animal of hepatitis, a mixture of lipopolysaccharide and galactosamine (LPS/GAlN) was administered intraperitoneally, leading to the impairment of hepatic function. Extracts of notoginseng or its components (ginsenoside Rb-1 and ginsenoside Rg(1)) were orally administered 2 h before LPS/GaIN injection. Eight hours after LPS/GaIN injection, blood and liver tissue samples were collected. The levels of serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interferon (IFN)-gamma were measured using commercial assay kits. Histologic changes in the tissue samples were also observed after hematoxylin-eosin staining. LPS/GaIN administration increased the serum levels of AST and ALT, and histologic changes were noted, indicating hepatic cell damage. Prior to the increase in ALT, the serum levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were elevated after LPS/GaIN injection. Pretreatment of the mice with either notoginseng extract or gensenoside RI), and Rg(1) attenuated the LPS/GalN-induced hepatic damage markedly. The protective effects of the components against hepatic damage appeared to be less potent than those of the crude extract and prescription of notoginseng. Notoginseng may be clinically useful in patients with hepatitis.