Liver metabolomics study of effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma extracts on D-galactose-induced rats / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma extracts on aging rats induced by D-galactose and explore its mechanism. Methods The rats were randomly divided into five groups, including control group, D-galactose group, and D-galactose combined with licorice extract of low, medium, and high dose group (respectively 1, 5, and 10 g/kg). The model rats were induced by injecting intraperitoneal D-galactose (300 mg/kg) for five weeks and the control group was received analogous saline. In the final week, the rats were executed and the liver tissue of each rat was used hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE staining) to observe the damage. The AST and ALT of serum were used to quantify the damage degree of liver. And then the MDA content, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and acetylcholinesterase activity in liver tissue were determined. Results The result of HE staining and the activity of AST and ALT showed that Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma extracts (1 g/kg) can significantly improve the damage of liver induced by D-galactose. Licorice extracts also can significantly reduce liver tissue of aged rats with MDA (P < 0.05) content and AChE activity, and increase SOD and GSH-Px activity. These results showed that Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma extracts (1 g/kg) with significant antioxidant and regulation of cholinergic system function. In order to further explore the mechanism of action of its effects, the liver tissue was analyzed by NMR metabonomics technique. A total of 13 potential biomarkers were found, which mainly involved in four metabolic pathways. Conclusion Metabonomics provides a scientific method for the further study on the mechanism of aging induced by D-galactose and the delayed aging of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma extracts.