Chemical composition and hepatoprotective effects of polyphenol-rich extract from Houttuynia cordata tea

J Agric Food Chem. 2012 May 9;60(18):4641-8. doi: 10.1021/jf3008376. Epub 2012 Apr 26.

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the antioxidant activity, hepatoprotective effect, and phenolic composition of the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) extracted from Houttuynia cordata tea. EAF was shown to exhibit strong ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and scavenging activity against DPPH radical in vitro, and the antioxidant effects were further verified by suppressing CCl₄-induced oxidative stress in mouse liver at three tested doses of EAF (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg bw). Pretreatment with EAF (1000 mg/kg bw) prior to CCl₄ administration significantly (p < 0.001) decreased the CCl₄-elevated levels of serum AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and hepatic MDA in mice and prevented the increases in GSH, SOD, and CAT caused by CCl₄. HPLC analysis revealed that three predominantly polyphenolic compounds present in EAF were quercitrin (111.7 μg/mg), quercetin (43.8 μg/mg), and hyperoside (29.1 μg/mg). These results combined with liver histopathology indicate that EAF possesses a significant protective effect against acute hepatotoxicity induced by CCl₄, which may be due to the strong antioxidant activity of phenolic components.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Beverages / analysis
  • Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / prevention & control*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / chemistry
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Flavonoids / therapeutic use
  • Houttuynia / chemistry*
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Phytotherapy
  • Polyphenols / analysis
  • Polyphenols / therapeutic use*
  • Protective Agents / analysis
  • Protective Agents / chemistry
  • Protective Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Flavonoids
  • Polyphenols
  • Protective Agents