Specific DNA barcodes, germplasm resources, and genetic diversity of Eleutherococcus senticosus / 中国中药杂志

Eleutherococcus senticosus is one of the Dao-di herbs in northeast China. In this study, the chloroplast genomes of three E. senticosus samples from different genuine producing areas were sequenced and then used for the screening of specific DNA barcodes. The germplasm resources and genetic diversity of E. senticosus were analyzed basing on the specific DNA barcodes. The chloroplast genomes of E. senticosus from different genuine producing areas showed the total length of 156 779-156 781 bp and a typical tetrad structure. Each of the chloroplast genomes carried 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs. The chloroplast genomes were relatively conserved. Sequence analysis of the three chloroplast genomes indicated that atpI, ndhA, ycf1, atpB-rbcL, ndhF-rpl32, petA-psbJ, psbM-psbD, and rps16-psbK can be used as specific DNA barcodes of E. senticosus. In this study, we selected atpI and atpB-rbcL which were 700-800 bp and easy to be amplified for the identification of 184 E. senticosus samples from 13 genuine producing areas. The results demonstrated that 9 and 10 genotypes were identified based on atpI and atpB-rbcL sequences, respectively. Furthermore, the two barcodes identified 23 genotypes which were named H1-H23. The haplotype with the highest proportion and widest distribution was H10, followed by H2. The haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were 0.94 and 1.82×10~(-3), respectively, suggesting the high genetic diversity of E. senticosus. The results of the median-joining network analysis showed that the 23 genotypes could be classified into 4 categories. H2 was the oldest haplotype, and it served as the center of the network characterized by starlike radiation, which suggested that population expansion of E. senticosus occurred in the genuine producing areas. This study lays a foundation for the research on the genetic quality and chloroplast genetic engineering of E. senticosus and further research on the genetic mechanism of its population, providing new ideas for studying the genetic evolution of E. senticosus.

Analysis of clinical application characteristics and drug combination of Ciwujia Injection in 12 554 cases in real world / 中国中药杂志

To explore the real world clinical application characteristics and the drug combination regularity of Ciwujia Injection, 12 554 cases of patients with Ciwujia Injection were extracted from the information systems of 24 class Ⅲ grade A hospitals in China, and a standardized analysis was carried out. Most of the patients were middle-aged and old-aged, and the main departments were cardiovascular department(22.50%) and neurology department(17.92%). Before 2008, 93.77% of the patients were single overdose users, which reduced to only 2.07% after 2011. The course of treatment was mostly between 8-14 days(32.98%). The top three di-seases diagnosed by Western medicine were hypertension(11.78%), cerebral infarction(9.47%), and coronary heart disease(8.15%), and the most common traditional Chinese medicine syndrome was the deficiency of liver and kidney(18.59%). The most commonly used Western medicine was Acetylsalicylic Acid(51.07%), and the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicine was Danshen Injection(9.67%). The most commonly used Western medicine in combined application was calcium channel blocker(46.88%), and the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicine in combined application was stasis removing agent(93.21%). And the drug combination with the highest support was Isosorbide Mononitrate + Acetylsalicylic Acide, with a high recovery rate after discharge(96.81%). The results showed that Ciwujia Injection had certain regularity. It considered underlying concurrent diseases, anticoagulation and blood circulation, with a wide range of effects in strengthening the body and regulating the mind. The results could expand the understanding of Ciwujia Injection and provide a more detailed real world basis and reference for optimizing therapeutic regimen in clinic.

Clinical application characteristics of Ciwujia Injection in treatment of 5 904 cases with cardiovascular disease in real world / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the clinical characteristics and the rule of administration of Ciwujia Injection in patients with cardiovascular disease by correlation analysis and frequency analysis. The information of 5 904 patients who used Ciwujia Injection to treat cardiovascular disease for at least three times in the hospital information system(HIS) of 19 comprehensive tertiary hospitals nationwide. The frequency analysis method was used to analyze the higher frequency variables, and the algorithm of Apriori correlation analysis method was used to analyze the clinical characteristics and medication laws of Ciwujia Injection in treating patients with cardiovascular disease. Among the 5 904 patients, the median age of the patients was 70 years, and the number of patients between 65-75 years old was up to 2 096(35.5%). There were more women than men in terms of diagnosis and treatment, and the women at age of 45-65 and 65-75 years old were more than men. The top three diagnoses by Western medicine were coronary heart disease in 8 104 cases(65.66%), dyslipidemia in 2 515 cases(20.38%), and cardiac function grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ in 581 cases(4.71%), while the largest number of syndromes in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) at discharge was 1 109(21.37%) in other type, followed by 739 cases(14.24%) of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and 698(13.46%) of liver and kidney Yin deficiency syndrome. The most frequently used Western medicine in combined use was Nifedipine in 2 567 cases(7.21%), and most frequently used TCM was Compound Xianzhuli Liquid leachate in 766 cases(3.53%). From the results of pharmacological analysis, the frequency of using Ciwujia Injection + stasi-seliminating agent + calcium channel blocking drugs was highest when using 1 Chinese medicine combined with 1 or 2 Western medicines. In the use of 2 Chinese medicines combined with 1 Western medicine, Ciwujia Injection + heat-clearing agent + stasis-eliminating agent + calcium channel blocker was the most common. This study demonstrated that Ciwujia Injection was more common in middle-aged and elderly patients and more in women than men. Treatment should be based on different cardiovascular disease treatment guidelines to reduce complications caused by underlying diseases, and attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of cardio-vascular disease risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and abnormal lipid metabolism. According to the analysis of frequency distribution and association rules, it was concluded that Ciwujia Injection was mainly used in combination with calcium channel blockers and stasis-eliminating agents in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In the treatment of cardiovascular diseases by Ciwujia Injection in combination with other Chinese and Western medicines, in order to avoid pharmacological changes and avoid affecting the efficacy of the drug, it is necessary to closely observe whether adverse reactions occur and ensure that the medication is safe and effective. This study provides a good reference for the follow-up clinical guidance of Ciwujia Injection.

Effects of fungi fraction on growth and anti-oxidative activity of Eleutherococcus senticosus / 中国中药杂志

The present study was conducted to explore the effect of endophytic fungi fraction on growth and anti-oxidative activity of Eleutherococcus senticosus. The growth,yield,contents of MDA,and antioxidant activities were assessed in E. senticosus under five fungi fractions,namely BZ,MH,DT,JS,and XFZ. The results showed that fungi fractions and component significantly affected the growth,low concentration of DT fungi fraction significantly increased the biomass of E. senticosus,reduced the MDA content in cells,and the antioxidant activities of the aqueous extracts were superior to the others. The results indicated that low concentration of DT fungi fraction was the optimum fraction to achieve high yield and quality of E. senticosus.

Modulation effect of Acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharides through inflammatory cytokines in protecting immunological liver-injured mice / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to discuss the protective effect and mechanism of Acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharides( ASPs) on immunological liver injury caused by conanavalin A( Con A). BALB/c mice were randomly divided into seven groups: control group,model group( Con A),low-,medium-,and high-dose( 36. 25,72. 5,145 mg·kg~(-1)) ASPs groups,bifendate( 200 mg·kg~(-1),positive drug) group and pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate( PDTC,NF-κB inhibitor,200 mg·kg~(-1)) group. ASPs groups and bifendate group were given with corresponding drugs by ig administration once daily for 7 d. Control group,model group and PDTC group were given with normal saline by ig administration once daily for 7 d. After the last ig administration,PDTC was given in DTC group by iv administration( 200 mg·kg~(-1)); 0. 5 h after that,Con A( 20 mg·kg~(-1)) was injected via the tail vein to induce immunological liver injury in all the mice except normal control group. The mice were killed 8 h later and their liver tissues were collected for histopathological examination. The contents of nitric oxide( NO),superoxide dismutase( SOD),malondialdehyde( MDA),reduced glutathione( GSHPX),interleukin( IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor( TNF-α) in liver tissues were detected by kit assay. Western blot method was used to detect TNF-α,intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1( ICAM-1),inducible nitric oxide synthase( i NOS) and nuclear factor( NF-κB) protein expression in liver tissues. As compared with model group,ASPs not only could reduce the activity of MDA,NO,IL-1β and TNF-α,but also increase the content of GSH-PX and SOD; at the same time,the protein expression levels of TNF-α,ICAM-1,i NOS and NF-κB were reduced in liver tissues; in addition,inflammatory cell infiltration was alleviated,hepatocyte cytoplasm was loose and swollen,and nuclear condensation and staining were improved. ASPs has a protective effect on immunological liver injury,and the mechanism may be associated with regulating secretion of inflammatory cytokines and the expression of adhesion factor through NF-κB signaling pathway.

Reproductive characteristics and habitat factors of Acanthopanax giraldii / 中国中药杂志

The growth parameters,clonal propagation parameters and sexual reproduction parameters of Acanthopanax giraldii population were systematically investigated and analyzed by means of population ecology in this study. The correlation among the above mentioned parameters and the correlation among canopy density,topography and soil fertility factors were analyzed. It is clear that there was a significant correlation among the clonal ramets,the fruit production capacity of the cluster and the new shoot production capacity of the A. giraldii. Sexual reproduction and clonal reproduction played an important role in the continuation of the population. Illumination was the key ecological factor that determined growth type. The increase in canopy density changed the population from " group clonal growth" to " guerrilla clonal growth",and the higher stand closure degree and low-strength herb layer competition was a necessary condition for seed germination and colonization. Under the background of natural forest protection and sustainable development of resources,the reproductive characteristics of wild A. giraldii resulted in the decrease of its recoverable quantity.

Antimicrobial Effect of Acanthopanax sessiliflorum Fruit Extracts against Selected Oral Bacteria / 치위생과학회지

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of Acanthopanax sessiliflorum fruit (ASF; Ogaza) extracts on Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, which are agents that cause dental caries, and on Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus salivarius, the microbial flora of the oral cavity. The ASF extracts obtained using 70% ethanol were fractionated in the order of ethyl acetate and n-Butanol, concentrated under reduced pressure, and lyophilized to give powdery solvent extracts. The antimicrobial activity of ASF extracts from each solvent was examined using the disk diffusion method. As a result, only those extracts obtained using an ethyl acetate solvent showed antimicrobial activity. These extracts were selected, and the minimum inhibitory concentration was measured by disk diffusion method at various extract concentrations. Results showed a minimum inhibitory concentration of 32 mg/ml. The viable cell count was measured to confirm the minimum bactericidal concentration. Results showed a minimum bactericidal concentration of 64 mg/ml. In the cytotoxicity test using normal human dermal fibroblast cells, the absorbance value of the test group was similar to that of the control group at 0.64, 1.28, and 6.4 mg/ml. The bacteria and their colonies were examined using a scanning electron microscope. Boundaries between the antimicrobial activity region and non-antimicrobial activity region were observed around the paper disk, which was immersed in the extract with 32 mg/ml concentration. Bacterial colonization was not observed in the area with antimicrobial activity. This finding suggests that ASF extracts can inhibit the growth of some microorganisms in the oral cavity, in addition to the effects of these extracts known to date. In particular, ASF extracts may be used as a preparation for preventing dental caries by adding the extract to the toothpaste or oral mouthwash.

Preparative separation and quantitative determination of two kaurenoic acid isomers in root barks of Acanthopanax gracilistylus / 中国天然药物

The kaurenoic acid-type diterpenoids in Acanthopanacis Cortex have been reported to be the major active components. However, the diterpenoids are present as position isomers that exacerbate the challenges in obtaining standards compounds. Little work has been done on the quantitative analysis of the diterpenoids in the herb. In the present study, two diterpenoid isomers ent-16βH,17-isovalerate-kauran-19-oic acid (1) and ent-16βH,17-methyl butanoate-kauran-19-oic acid (2) with high purity were separated by analytical HPLC, followed by recrystallization in acetone. Furthermore, an HPLC-ELSD method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of 1 and 2 in 9 batches of Acanthopanacis Cortex samples. The HPLC separation and quantification was achieved in 40 min using an Agela Promosil C column eluted with a gradient of water and acetonitrile. The calibration curves showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.999 9) within the test ranges. The LOD ranged from 0.407 2 to 0.518 0 μg and LOQ ranged from 1.018 0 to 1.295 0 μg. The precisions (%RSD) were within 1.47% for the two isomers. The recovery of the assay was in the range of 98.78%-99.11% with RSD values less than 2.76%. It is the first time to establish a quantitative HPLC method for the analysis of the bioactive kaurenoic acid isomers in the herb.

Yield Analysis of Flavonoids in Acanthopanax divaricatus and A. koreanum Grown using Different Cultivation Methods

High-performance liquid chromatography was performed in order to analyze the changes in the flavonoid content (rutin, hyperin, afzelin, quercetin, and kaempferol) of Acanthopanax divaricatus and A. koreanum, in response to different cultivation methods (pinching height, planting time, and top dressing). The total flavonoid content of A. divaricatus and A. koreanum ranged from 0.201 to 0.690 mg/g with different pinching heights, 0.143 to 1.001 mg/g for different planting times, and 0.156 to 1.074 mg/g depending on the rate of fertilizer application. In both A. divaricatus and A. koreanum, the total flavonoid content in the upper section of the plant was greater than that in the lower section. These results demonstrate which cultivation methods maximize the flavonoid content of A. divaricatus and A. koreanum, and thus help to optimize flavonoid yields to improve production for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical applications.

Inhibition of Lung Inflammation by Acanthopanax divaricatus var. Albeofructus and Its Constituents

In order to find potential therapeutic agents on lung inflammatory conditions, the extracts of Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus were prepared and its constituents were isolated. They include lignans such as (+)-syringaresinol (1), acanthoside B (2), salvadoraside (3) and acanthoside D (4), lariciresinol-9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5) and phenylpropanoids such as 4-[(1E)-3-methoxy-1-propenyl]phenol (6), coniferin (7), and methyl caffeate (8). The extracts and several constituents such as compound 1, 6 and 8 inhibited the production of inflammatory markers, IL-6 and nitric oxide, from IL-1beta-treated lung epithelial cells and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, the extracts and compound 4 significantly inhibited lung inflammation in lipolysaccharide-treated acute lung injury in mice by oral administration. Thus it is suggested that A. divaricatus var. albeofructus and its several constituents may be effective against lung inflammation.

Establishment of prokaryotic expression and optimization ox expression conditions of Eleutherococcus senticosus P450 gene / 中国中药杂志

According to the sequence of P450 cDNA of Eleutherococcus senticosus, specific primers were designed. Frokaryotic ex pression vector pET30a-P450 was constructed and the prokaryotic expression conditions were optimized. Results showed that the BL21 after being transformed with the recombinant expression vector accumulated the high amount of recombinant protein. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the recombinant protein was about 53 kDa. The recombinant accumulated the highest amount of recombinant protein af ter IPTG (1 mmol x L(-1)) at 27-37 degrees C for 24 h. Consequently P450 gene of E. senticosus could be expressed successfully by prokaryotic expression vector pET30a-P450. Induction temperature, IPTG concentration, medium type and amount of induction time could all influence the expression of target protein, but the impact strength was different.

First Report and Characterization of Pestalotiopsis ellipsospora Causing Canker on Acanthopanax divaricatus

Acanthopanax divaricatus, a member of the Araliaceae family, has been used as an invigorant in traditional Korean medicine. During disease monitoring, a stem with small, irregular, brown lesions was sampled at a farm in Cheonan in 2011. The symptoms seen were sunken cankers and reddish-brown needles on the infected twig. The isolated fungal colonies were whitish, having crenated edges and aerial mycelium on the surface, and with black gregarious fruiting bodies. The reverse plate was creamy white. Conidia were 17~22 x 3.5~4.2 microm, fusiform, 4-septate, and straight to slightly curved. The nucleotide sequence of the partial translation elongation factor 1 alpha gene of the fungal isolate, shares 99% sequence identity with that of known Pestalotiopsis ellipsospora. Based on the results of the morphological and molecular analyses, the fungal isolate was identified as P. ellipsospora. In Korea, this is the first report of canker on A. divaricatus.

Expression profiles analysis of two member of squaleneepoxidase gene family from Eleutherococcus senticosus / 中国中药杂志

In order to find the characteristics of two members of gene family of squaleneexpoxidase (SE) , a quantitative real time PCR method was developed to analyze the expression of Eleutherococcus senticosus SE1 and SE2 gene from different growth periods and in different organs. The result indicated that all the expression of SE2 more than SE1 in the whole growth period and organs of E. senticosus. And in the whole growth period, expression of SE1 showed a low-high-low characteristic. Both expression of SE2 and growth period showed the same trend. The lowest content of the expression was in the roots. SE1 expression have been improved more than SE2 when treated with MeJA. The expression of E. senticosus SE1 and saponins content had significantly positive correlation (P < 0.05) and the correlation coefficients was 0. 858, while the correlation was not significant for SE2. That indicated that SE1 played a key enzyme gene in the biosynthesis of triterpenoidsaponins

Isolation and Identification of Terpenoids from the Fruits of Acanthopanax chiisanensis

Phytochemical constituents were isolated from the fruits of Acanthopanax chiisanensis by repeated column chromatography. Their structures were identified as beta-sitosterol (1), daucosterol (2), sesamin (3), chiisanogenin (4), and 22alpha-hydroxy chiisanogenin (5) by spectroscopic analysis (MS, 1H-, and 13C-NMR). Compounds 1 - 5 were isolated for the first time from the fruits of A. chiisanensis.

Anti-inflammatory Activities of Lupane-triterpenoids In Vitro and Their Phytochemical Fingerprinting from Leaves of Acanthopanax gracilistylus

The activities on the inhibition of NO on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were investigated in this work. A simple and sensitive method has been developed and validated for fingerprinting analysis of leaves of Acanthopanax gracilistylus W.W. Smith (AGS). The cytotoxicity and inhibition of NO on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells of the extract and triterpenoids were determined. Optimal conditions of HPLC analysis were established as follows. The separation was performed with an ODS-C18 column at 30 degrees C, the detected wavelength was 210 nm, the flow rate was 1 mL/min, and the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile (0.05% phosphoric acid) -0.05% phosphoric acid solution with gradient elution. Our results showed that impressic acid and acankoreaogenin was more effective on the inhibition of NO than the methanol extract and other compounds. There were seventeen peaks coexisted with similarities above 0.95 and nine lupane-triterpenoids including acankoreaogenin and impressic acid detected and identified. The result of anti-inflammatory activities provides a potential explanation for the use of AGS leaves as a herbal medicine in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Our results also show that acankoreanogenin and impressic acid may be potentially useful in developing new anti-inflammatory agents. In addition, the fingerprint chromatography clearly illustrated and confirmed the material basis for the anti-inflammatory activities of this plant.

Chemical Constituents from Leaves of Acanthopanax henryi (II)

Nineteen compounds, including one organic acid (1), one anthraquinone (2), one amide (3), and sixteen triterpenoid saponins (4 - 19) were isolated from the leaves of Acanthopanax henryi (Oliv.) Harms (Araliaceae). Their structures were determined on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral analyses (HR-MS and NMR). Among them, compounds 2, 3, 7, 12 and 19 were new within Araliaceae. Compounds 4, 5, 9 - 11, 13, 14, 16 and 18 were reported for the first time from the Acanthopanax genus. Except for compounds 4 and 9, other compounds were isolated from A. henryi (Oliv.) Harms for the first time. The rare anthraquinone, compound 2, significantly decreased the production of NO and the levels of other inflammatory factors, such as TNF-alpha and IL-6, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. This is the first time to report anti-inflammatory effect of this compound.

Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem confers increased resistance to environmental stresses and lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Acanthopanax sessiliflorus is a native Korean plant and used as traditional medicine or an ingredient in many Korean foods. The free radical theory of aging suggests that cellular oxidative stress caused by free radicals is the main cause of aging. Free radicals can be removed by cellular anti-oxidants. MATERIALS/METHODS: Here, we examined the anti-oxidant activity of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract both in vitro and in vivo. Survival of nematode C. elegans under stress conditions was also compared between control and Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract-treated groups. Then, anti-aging effect of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract was monitored in C. elegans. RESULTS: Stem extract significantly reduced oxidative DNA damage in lymphocyte, which was not observed by leaves or root extract. Survival of C. elegans under oxidative-stress conditions was significantly enhanced by Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem extract. In addition, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem increased resistance to other environmental stresses, including heat shock and ultraviolet irradiation. Treatment with Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem extract significantly extended both mean and maximum lifespan in C. elegans. However, fertility was not affected by Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem. CONCLUSION: Different parts of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus have different bioactivities and stem extract have strong anti-oxidant activity in both rat lymphocytes and C. elegans, and conferred a longevity phenotype without reduced reproduction in C. elegans, which provides conclusive evidence to support the free radical theory of aging.

Cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effects of root bark extracts of Acanthopanax henryi / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To investigate the cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory activity, and action mechanism of root bark extracts of Acanthopanax henryi.@*METHOD@#The hot methanol extract of the root bark of A. henryi was subjected to XAD-4 column chromatography eluting with a gradient of methanol in water. The cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effects of the MeOH fractions were evaluated on the inhibition on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 production in RAW 264.7 macrophages.@*RESULTS@#The 80% MeOH fraction was a better inhibitor of LPS-induced NO, PGE2, IL-1β, and IL-6 production, and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) at the protein levels in a concentration-dependent manner.@*CONCLUSION@#The 80% MeOH fraction of A. henryi root bark has significant anti-inflammatory activity. This provides a pharmacological basis for clinical application for the treatment of inflammation.

Identification of phenylpropanoids in ciwujia injection by HPLC-MS / 中国中药杂志

There are reports about the chemical compounds of Ciwujia herbs, but with no study report about the chemical material basis of Ciwujia injection (CWJI). In this study, LC-MS(n) and LC-Q-TOF-MS techniques were adopted for a qualitative analysis on phenylpropanoids in CWJI. The Ultmate XB-C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was adopted and eluted with the mobile phase of 0.5% formic acid-water and acetonitrile, with the flow rate at 0.8 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature at 20 degrees C. Based on the data of high-resolution and multi-stage MS, control products and literatures, altogether 54 phenylpropanoids were identified in Ciwujia Injection, including 34 phenylpropanoids, 16 ligans and 4 coumarins. Among them, 28 were reported for the first time in Ciwujia, and 14 compound structures were identified in comparison with the control products. The method established in this study could be used to simply and rapidly identify phenylpropanoids in CWJI. The findings provide scientific data for defining the chemical material basis of CWJI.

Protective effects of Acanthopanax koreanum Kakai extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in Sprague-Dawley rats / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to investigate the protective effects of ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai (AE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups in order to receive the following experimental diets with intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (2.0 mL/kg body weight, 20% solution 0.65 mL) for eight weeks (n = 8 per group): CCl4 control (CON), CCl4 + AE 1% (AE1), CCl4 + AE 3% (AE3), or CCl4 + acanthoic acid 0.037%, which is equivalent to AE 3% (AA). RESULTS: Highest serum ALT activity and albumin level were observed in the CCL4 control group, but showed a significant decrease by either AE or AA supplementation in a dose-dependent manner (p = 0.0063 and 0.0076, respectively). Both hemotoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's staining indicated remarkable prevention of CCl4-induced liver damage in the AE3 group. TNFalpha and IL-6 production were significantly lowered in the AE treated groups, but not in the AA group (p = 0.0016 and p = 0.0002, respectively). The effects of AE3 were greater than those of AA for inflammation and liver toxicity biomarkers. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results suggested that ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai provided hepa-toprotective effects, leading to the reduction of inflammatory response. In addition, the effect of AE was superior to that of single compound AA.