Planta Med 2000; 66(8): 714-719
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-9603
Original Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Panax vietnamensis Protects Mice Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity without any Modification of CYP2E1 Gene Expression

T. D. Nguyen1 , P. H. Villard1 , A. Barlatier2 , A. E. Elsisi3 , E. Jouve4 , N. M. Duc5 , C. Sauze1 , A. Durand1 , B. Lacarelle1,*
  • 1 Laboratory of Toxicology (EA2194), School of Pharmacy, Univ. Méditerranée, Marseilles, France
  • 2 Laboratory of Biochemistry (EA2195), School of Pharmacy, Univ. Méditerranée, Marseilles, France
  • 3 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Tanta, Tanta, Egypt
  • 4 Center of Clinic Pharmacology, Timone Hospital, Marseilles, France
  • 5 Scientific Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Further Information

Publication History

December 28, 1999

May 27, 2000

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

Abstract

In order to explore the effect of Panax vietnamensis on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity, mice were pretreated for 7 days with either crude extract or total saponins. Crude extract and total saponins dramatically decreased carbon tetrachloride-induced increase of serum GSTα level (- 50.0 %, - 49.5 % respectively). Serum AST level was significantly decreased only with total saponins (- 52.2 %) and ALT level was slightly modified. In vitro experiments shown that both preparations at high concentrations (> 2000 μg/ml) are able to inhibit CYP2E1 enzymatic activity in mouse and human microsomes. However, we did not observe any modification of Cyp2e1 gene expression (enzymatic activity, protein and mRNA levels) in mice treated with either crude extract or total saponins. Taken together, these data demonstrated that Panax vietnamensis could be used as an hepatoprotectant. However, the mechanism of action is not associated with CYP2E1 expression, as previously suggested in vitro in rat for total saponins from Panax ginseng.

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Prof. Bruno Lacarelle

Laboratory of Toxicology (EA2194)

School of Pharmacy

Univ. Méditerranée

27 Bd. Jean Moulin

13385 Marseilles Cedex 5

France

Email: bruno.lacarelle@pharmacie.univ-mrs.fr

Phone: Phone and Fax: (33) 491835608