Effects of Baishao on liver yin deficiency pattern in alcoholic liver injury and its mechanism.

Objective To study the effects of Baishao (White Peony Root, Radix Paeoniae Alba) on liver yin deficiency pattern in mice with alcoholic liver injury and mechanism. Methods ICR mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Yiguan Jian ( Effective Integration Decoction, YGJ) group and Baishao group, with 10 mice in each group. Mice models of alcoholic liver injury with liver yin deficiency pattern were established by intragastric administration of Lieber-DeCarli alcohol diet plus thyroid hormone. Meanwhile, the blank group and the model group were given physiological saline by gavage, the YGJ group was given YGJ (9. 07 g/kg, 20 mL/kg) by gavage, and the Baishao group baishao exact (4. 3 g/kg, 20 mL/kg) by gavage. After 28 days, the state of mice in each group was observed, and their body weight, body temperature and heart rate were measured. Levels of transaminase activities, cytokine, enzyme activities related to ethanol and fat metabolism and antioxidant enzyme activities of the serum and liver tissue were detected. Frozen liver sections were examined with Oil Red 0 staining and liver biopsies with H&E staining. Results Compared with the blank group, the weight of the mice in the model group was significantly reduced, the body temperature increased, the heart rate increased, accompanied with symptoms like lusterless hair, tiredness, sleepiness and irritability. The levels of serum ALT, AST, TG, TC and cAMP and levels of liver MDA, CYP2E1, TNF-a, IL-1 (3 and IL-6 in the model group were significantly increased. The serum levels of cGMP and liver tissue levels of SOD, CAT, ADH, ALDH2, IL-10 and IL-1Ra were significantly reduced. In addition, lipid deposition ad hepatocyte necrosis occurred in the liver. Compared with the model group, serum levels of ALT, AST, TG, TC and cAMP in the Baishao group were significantly lowered (P <0. 05), and cGMP levels were significantly increased (P <0. 05). The liver levels of CYP2E1, TNF-a, IL-1 (3 and IL-6 were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the levels of SOD, CAT, ADH, ALDH2, IL-10 and IL-1 Ra were significantly increased (P <0. 05). Also, the lipid content of the liver tissue was significantly decreased (P <0. 01), and hepatocyte necrosis was reduced. Conclusion Baishao has obvious curative effect on liver yin deficiency pattern caused by alcoholic liver injury. Its mechanism is related to the regulation of cAMP/cGMP levels and cytokine levels, the restoration of normal hepatocyte function and metabolism, enhanced activities of key enzymes and antioxidant enzymes of ethanol metabolism in liver tissue, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and reduction in lipid deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]