The Anti-inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Effects of Fractions from Cudrania cochinchinensis var. gerontogea

Abstract

Various fractions of the ethanol extract from the root wood of Cudrania cochinchinensis var. gerontogea (Moraceae) were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory effects on carrageenan-induced edema and hepatoprotective activities on carbon tetrachloride (CCI₄)-induced and D-galactosamine-(D-GalN) induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. The fractions (n-hexane, CHCI₃, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and H₂O) displayed significant inhibitory activity against carrageenan-induced edema, and the active anti-inflammatory components were further localized in the n-BuOH fraction, which exhibited the greatest anti-inflammatory effect, an effect 5% greater than indomethacin (which was used as a standard reference substance). Each fraction exerted a significant hepatoprotective effect by reducing enzymatic alteration (sGOT and sGPT) and by improving hepatic lesions, including liver centrilobular inflammation, cell necrosis, fatty change, ballooning degeneration in CCl₄-induced acute hepatitis; and necrosis of the portal area in D-GalN-induced acute liver injury. The n-BuOH and EtOAc fractions had the greatest hepatoprotective effects on CCl₄)-induced liver injury; in contrast, the CHCI₃) fraction was most potent against D-GalN intoxication, which is comparable to silymarin, as a recognized hepatoprotective drug.