Mechanisms underlying the mitochondrial protection of Limonium sinense extracts (LSE) was studied in lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN) intoxicated mice. It was found that increased activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase induced by LPS/D-GalN were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with LSE. The obvious disruption of membrane potential, intramitochondrial Ca (2+) overload and suppression in mitochondrial Ca (2+) -ATPase activity induced by LPS/D-GalN were significantly blocked by pretreatment with LSE. It was concluded that mechanisms underlying protection of LSE against liver mitochondria damage might be related to the preservation on mitochondrial Ca (2+) homeostasis through the preservation on mitochondrial Ca (2+) -ATPase activity.
Keywords: D-galactosamine; Limonium sinense (Girard) Ktze; lipopolysaccharide; mitochondrial Ca 2+ -ATPase activity; mitochondrial Ca 2+ overload.