Hepatoprotective effect of Diospyros lotus leaf extract against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Diospyros lotus leaf extract (DLE) against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury in mice. Administration of DLE significantly attenuated the levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and liver lipid peroxidation in APAP-treated mice. Histopathological examination showed that DLE treatment decreased the incidence of liver lesions in APAP-treated mice. DLE treatment markedly increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activity, and glutathione levels in APAP-treated mice. Furthermore, DLE treatment significantly suppressed the production of proinflammatory factors such as the nitric oxide, IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS in APAP-treated mice. These results suggest that DLE protects the liver from APAP-induced hepatic injury via antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]