Antihepatopathic Activity of Foam Components Produced from the Bulb of Jumbo Leek and Isolation of Its Active Saponin

Abstract

In this study, we examined the effects of lyophilized powder of foam components (foam powder) obtained from the bulb of jumbo leek on liver disorders. Using a rat model, acute liver disorders were produced by D-galactosamine hydrochloride (GalN) administration to induce fulminant hepatitis and chronic liver disorders were induced by ethanol administration. These effects were then compared with those of freeze-dried powder of the whole bulb and curcumin. We also attempted to isolate and identify the saponin, the estimated active component in the leek. Both foam powder and freeze-dried powder decreased the induction of hepatocyte necrosis in GalN-induced acute liver disorders and prevented the occurrence of ethanol-induced chronic liver disorders in rats by inhibiting the absorption of alcohol from the stomach. From the freeze-dried whole-bulb powder, we isolated the known steroid saponin, karatavioside A (C₅₀H₈₀O₂₃, MW : 1048).