Protective Effect of (S)-Bakuchiol from Psoralea corylifolia on Rat Liver Injury in Vitro and in Vivo

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of (S)-bakuchiol isolated from the seed of Psoralea corylifolia, on liver injury. Primary rat hepatocyte intoxication was induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBH), carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) or D-galactosamine (D-GalN). Liver injury was induced by either CCl₄ or D-GalN in rats. In vitro, the cellular leakage of lactate dehydrogenase and cell viability following treatment with hepatotoxicants were significantly improved by bakuchiol treatment at a concentration range of 25 - 200 μM for tBH, 100 - 200 μM for CCl₄ and 100 - 200 μM for D-GalN-induced hepatocyte injury. Treatment with bakuchiol significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation and intracellular glutathione depletion in hepatocytes induced by tBH, CCl₄ or D-GalN. Treatment with bakuchiol (25 or 50 mg/kg, p. o.) at 1, 24 and 48 h after subcutaneous injection of CCl₄ significantly reduced the levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase in serum. Histological observations revealed that fatty acid changes, hepatocyte necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in CCl₄-injured liver was improved when treated with bakuchiol. Bakuchiol treatment (25 and 50 mg/kg, p. o.) also significantly reduced the levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase in an acute liver injury model induced by D-GalN. From these results, bakuchiol has a protective effect against tBH, CCl₄ or D-GalN-induced hepatotoxicity in vitro or in vivo.

Key words

(S)-Bakuchiol - Psoralea corylifolia - Leguminosae - hepatoprotective effect - tert-butyl hydroperoxide - carbon tetrachloride - D-galactosamine

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