Extraction of echinacoside from Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) R. Wight and investigation of its protective effect on liver injury in sepsis rats

Abstract

In this study, echinacoside was extracted from Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) R. Wight, and its protective effect on liver injury in sepsis rats was investigated. Forty-five rats were randomly divided into control, sepsis and echinacoside groups, 15 rats in each group. The sepsis model was established in sepsis and echinacoside groups. In echinacoside group, the rats were treated with echinacoside at 1 h before modeling. At 24 h after modeling, compared with sepsis group, in echinacoside group the serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were decreased, the liver injury score and hepatocyte apoptosis rate were decreased, the serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6 and interleukin 1β levels were decreased, the liver tissue catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels were increased, the liver tissue malondialdehyde level was decreased, and the liver tissue nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) protein expression levels were increased. The difference of all above comparisons was significant (P < 0.05). In conclusion, echinacoside can inhibit the inflammatory response, activate the Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway, and reduce the oxidative stress, thus alleviating the liver injury in sepsis rats.

Keywords:
echinacoside; sepsis; liver injury; Nrf2/HO-1