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Ginsenosides from stems and leaves of ginseng prevent ethanol-induced lipid accumulation in human L02 hepatocytes

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effect of ginsenosides from stems and leaves of ginseng on ethanol-induced lipid deposition in human L02 hepatocytes.

Methods

L02 cells were exposed to ethanol for 36 h and treated with or without ginsenosides. The viability of L02 cells was evaluated by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay and the triglyceride (TG) content was detected. Lipid droplets were determined by oil red O staining. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the mitochondrial membrane potential were tested by flow cytometry. The ATP level was measured by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The expression of cytochrome p450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively.

Results

Ethanol exposure resulted in the increase of TG level, lipid accumulation and ROS generation, and the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production in the cells. However, ginsenosides significantly reduced TG content (9.69±0.22 μg/mg protein vs. 4.93±0.49 μg/mg protein, P<0.01), and ROS formation (7254.8±385.7 vs. 5825.2±375.9, P<0.01). Meanwhile, improvements in mitochondrial membrane potential (10655.33±331.34 vs. 11129.52±262.35, P<0.05) and ATP level (1.20±0.18 nmol/mg protein vs. 2.53±0.25 nmol/mg protein, P<0.01) were observed by treatment with ginsenosides. Furthermore, ginsenosides could down-regulate CYP2E1 expression (P<0.01) and upregulate PPARα expression (P<0.01) in ethanol-treated cells.

Conclusions

Ginsenosides could prevent ethanol-induced hepatocyte steatosis in vitro related to the inhibition of oxidative stress and the improvement of mitochondrial function. In addition, the modulation of CYP2E1 and PPARα expression may also play an important role in the protective effect of ginsenosides against lipid accumulation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China

    Chao-feng Hu, Da-xiang Lu & Sen Luo

  2. Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518020, China

    Li-ping Sun

  3. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China

    Qin-he Yang

Authors
  1. Chao-feng Hu
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  2. Li-ping Sun
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  3. Qin-he Yang
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  4. Da-xiang Lu
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  5. Sen Luo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Da-xiang Lu.

Additional information

Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, China (No. S2012010008161)

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Hu, Cf., Sun, Lp., Yang, Qh. et al. Ginsenosides from stems and leaves of ginseng prevent ethanol-induced lipid accumulation in human L02 hepatocytes. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 23, 438–444 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-016-2617-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-016-2617-8

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