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CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs are known to acquire tissue-specific features and exert cytoprotective and regenerative functions. The extent to which this applies to liver-resident Tregs is unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the phenotypic and functional characteristics of adult murine liver resident Tregs during homeostasis. Additionally, we investigated their role in ameliorating liver inflammation and tissue damage. Quantification of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ cells comparing different tissues showed that the liver contained significantly fewer resident Tregs. A combination of flow cytometry phenotyping and microarray analysis of intra-hepatic and splenic Tregs under homeostatic conditions revealed that, although intra-hepatic Tregs exhibited the core transcriptional Treg signature, they expressed a distinct transcriptional profile. This was characterized by reduced CD25 expression and increased levels of pro-inflammatory Th1 transcripts Il1b and Ifng. In vivo ablation of Tregs in the Foxp3-DTR mouse model showed that Tregs had a role in reducing the magnitude of systemic and intra-hepatic inflammatory responses following acute carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) injury, but their absence did not impact the development of hepatocyte necrosis. Conversely, the specific expansion of Tregs by administration of IL-2 complexes increased the number of intra-hepatic Tregs and significantly ameliorated tissue damage following CCl₄ administration in C57BL/6 mice. The cytoprotective effect observed in response to IL-2c was associated with the increased expression of markers known to regulate Treg suppressive function. Our results offer insight into the transcriptome and complex immune network of intra-hepatic Tregs and suggest that strategies capable of selectively increasing the pool of intra-hepatic Tregs could constitute effective therapies in inflammatory liver diseases.

Cereal vinegar sediment (CVS) is a natural precipitate formed during the aging process of traditional grain vinegar. It has been used as Chinese traditional medicine, while its composition and function are reported minimally. In this study, we measured CVS in terms of saccharide, protein, fat and water content, and polyphenol and flavonoid content. Furthermore, we determined the amino acids, organic acids, and other soluble metabolites in CVS using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), HPLC, and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) platforms. The hepatoprotective effect of CVS was evaluated in acute CCl4-induced liver injury mice. Administration of CVS for 7 days prior to the CCl4 treatment can significantly decrease liver alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, compared with those in the hepatic injury model group. The gut microbiota was changed by CCl4 administration and was partly shifted by the pretreatment of CVS, particularly the Muribaculaceae family, which was increased in CVS-treated groups compared with that in the CCl4 administration group. Moreover, the abundances of Alistipes genus and Muribaculaceae family were correlated with the liver ALT, AST, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Our results illustrated the composition of CVS and its hepatoprotective effect in mice, suggested that CVS could be developed as functional food to prevent acute liver injury.

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Different parts of the plant Trichosanthes cucumerina Var cucumerina L. (cucurbitaceae) are used to treat liver disorders, traditionally. It is one among the constituents in various Ayurvedic formulations used for the treatment of liver disorders and other diseases. Aims of study: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the protective effect of Trichosanthes cucumerina against experimentally induced liver injury. Materials and methods: The methanolic extract of whole plant of Trichosanthes cucumerina (TCME) was evaluated for the hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Various biochemical parameters like alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) levels were estimated in serum as well as the glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver were determined. Histopathological changes in the liver of different groups were also studied. Results: The pre-treatment of TCME at dose levels of 250 and 500mg/kg b.w.p.o. had controlled the raise of AST, ALT, ALP, TB and MDA levels and the effects were comparable with standard drug (silymarin 100mg/kg b.w.p.o.). The GSH, TP and ALB levels were significantly increased in the animals received pre-treatment of the extract. The animals received pre-treatment of the extract shown decreased necrotic zones and hepatocellular degeneration when compared to the liver exposed to CCl4 intoxication alone. Thus the histopathalogical studies also supported the protective effect of the extract. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the hepatoprotective activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina and thus scientifically supports the usage of this plant in various Ayurvedic preparations and traditional medicine for treatment of liver disorders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tectona grandis L.f (or syn: Jatus grandis (L.f.) Kuntze Revis), from family Lamiaceae, also known as Teak, is widely recognized in ayurvedic system of medicine and confer curative potential against inflammation, liver disorders, biliousness, diabetes, bronchitis, leprosy and dysentery. Its leaves are rich source of edible food colorant and reported nontoxic for liver and various organs. Hepatic injury progression to liver cirrhosis and cancer is a serious health issue across the world. Currently, anti-fibrotic therapeutic options are limited and expensive with no FDA approved direct anti-hepato-fibrotic drug validated in clinic. Thus, the aim of this study was to understand ameliorative effect of Tectona grandis L.f, leaves in early liver fibrosis. C57BL/6 mice suffering from CCl 4 induced liver injury, were orally administered at three different doses (50, 100 & 200 mg/kg) of Tectona grandis L.f, leaf extract, thrice a week, up to 4 and 8 weeks. Anti-fibrotic effect was evaluated through animal body/liver weight measurements, serological tests (AST, ALT, GSH, MDA and LDH assays), tissue hydroxyproline content, and histochemical analysis (H&E, Masson trichrome, Sirius red and αSMA localization). Moreover, transcriptional and post-transcriptional expression of fibrosis associated biomarkers and TGF-β/Smad cascade were analyzed. It was observed that 100 mg/kg dose optimally downregulated TGF-β1/Smad2 with upregulation of Smad7 and regulated αSMA, Col 1, PDGF, TIMP1 and MMP3 expression, post 8 weeks of treatment. In addition, MMP3/TIMP1 ratio was upregulated to 0.7, 2.5 and 1.7 fold at 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg & 200 mg/kg treatments respectively, in comparison to untreated liver fibrosis models. The extract contains gallic acid, caffeic acid, sinapinic acid and myricetin when analyzed through high performance liquid chromatography. Tectona grandis L.f, leaves have potential to ameliorate liver fibrosis induced by CCl 4 in mice via modulation of TGF-β1/Smad pathway and upregulated MMP3/TIMP1 ratio. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]