Suppressive Effect of Kampo Formula “Juzen-taiho-to” on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

抄録

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether pretreatment with the Japanese herbal medicine, “Juzen-taiho-to” (JTX), had an ameliorative effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity through anorexia prevention. Mice injected with CCl₄ exhibited severe anorexia. Moreover, CCl₄ increased the plasma levels of hepatic injury markers (i.e., alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), lipid peroxidation, and hepatic Ca²⁺ levels. Pretreatment with JTX recovered the CCl₄-induced anorexia. In addition, JTX pretreatment decreased CCl₄-induced plasma levels of hepatic injury markers. Increased Ca²⁺ is a known indicator of the final progression to hepatocyte death, and CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity is mainly caused by oxidative stress. The present study indicated CCl₄-induced lipid peroxidation and hepatic Ca²⁺ content decreased with JTX pretreatment. Our results suggest that JTX has potential to protect of CCl₄-induced anorexia, and the modulation of oxidative stress.