ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the protective effect of ginseng fruit anthocyanins (GFA) against acetaminophen (AP) induced liver damage in mice and its possible mechanism. Methods: The model of AP induced liver injury was established, and the GFA protection for liver damage was observed. Thirty-two male ICR mice were randomly divided into normal group, AP group, GFA with 200 mg/kg dose group, and GFA with 400 mg/kg group. Colorimetric method was used to assay the contents of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), activity of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of liver homogenate in mice, and observe liver tissue pathological section. Results: GFA obviously reduced the level of ALT in serum, inhibited the level of MDA, and enhanced activity of GSH in liver tissue. The H&E and Hoechst 33258 staining results indicated that GFA could obviously improve the degree of liver tissue necrosis and apoptosis, narrow the scope of necrosis, and relieve the inflammatory cell infiltration. By inflammatory factor of iNOS, COX-2 immunohistochemical staining and nitrification stress index of 3-NT immunofluorescence, GFA could inhibit nitration stress and the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: GFA has certain protective effect on AP-induced acute liver injury and its mechanism may relate to antioxidant effect, inhibition of nitrification stress, alleviation inflammation reaction and inhibiting apoptosis.